Psalms 50
A plain-spoken deep dive on the whole chapter. Read the chapter →
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the grandeur and solemnity of a divine judgment, God is introduced as instructing men in the nature of true worship, exposing hypocrisy, warning the wicked, and encouraging the pious. (Psa. 50:1-23) The description of this majestic appearance of God resembles that of His giving the law (compare Exo 19:16; Exo 20:18; Deu 32:1).
Open source ↗The mighty God,.... In the Hebrew text it is "El", "Elohim", which Jarchi renders the "God of gods"; that is, of angels, who are so called, Psa 8:5; so Christ, who is God over all, is over them; he is their Creator, and the object of their worship, Heb 1:6; or of kings, princes, judges, and all civil magistrates, called gods, Psa 82:1; and so Kimchi interprets the phrase here "Judge of judges". Christ is King of kings, and Lord of lords, by whom they reign and judge, and to whom they are accountable. The Targum renders it "the mighty God"; as we do; which is the title and name of Christ in Isa 9:6; and well agrees with him, as appears by his works of creation, providence, and redemption, and by his government of his church and people; by all the grace, strength, assistance, and preservation they have from him now, and by all that glory and happiness they will be brought unto by him hereafter, when raised from the dead, according to his mighty power. It is added, even the Lord, hath spoken: or "Jehovah", Some have observed, that these three names, El, Elohim, Jehovah, here mentioned, have three very distinctive accents set to them, and which being joined to a verb singular, "hath spoken", contains the mystery of the trinity of Persons in the unity of the divine Essence; see Jos 22:22; though rather all the names belong to Christ the Son of God, and who is Jehovah our righteousness, and to whom, he being the eternal Logos, speech is very properly ascribed. He hath spoken for the elect in the council and covenant of grace and peace, that they might be given to him; and on their behalf, that they might have grace and glory, and he might be their Surety, Saviour, and Redeemer. He hath spoken all things out of nothing in creation: he spoke with. Moses at the giving of the law…
Open source ↗The theophany. The names of God are heaped up in Psa 50:1 in order to gain a thoroughly full-toned exordium for the description of God as the Judge of the world. Hupfeld considers this heaping up cold and stiff; but it is exactly in accordance with the taste of the Elohimic style. The three names are co-ordinate with one another; for אל אלהים does not mean "God of gods," which would rather be expressed by אלהי האלהים or אל אלים. אל is the name for God as the Almighty; אלהים as the Revered One; יהוה as the Being, absolute in His existence, and who accordingly freely influences and moulds history after His own plan - this His peculiar proper-name is the third in the triad. Perfects alternate in Psa 50:1 with futures, at one time the idea of that which is actually taking place, and at another of that which is future, predominating. Jahve summons the earth to be a witness of the divine judgment upon the people of the covenant. The addition "from the rising of the sun to its going down," shows that the poet means the earth in respect of its inhabitants. He speaks, and because what He speaks is of universal significance He makes the earth in all its compass His audience. This summons precedes His self-manifestation. It is to be construed, with Aquila, the Syriac, Jerome, Tremellius, and Montanus, "out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, Elohim shineth." Zion, the perfect in beauty (cf. the dependent passage Lam 2:15, and 1 Macc. 2:12, where the temple is called ἡ καλλονὴ ἡμῶν), because the place of the presence of God the glorious One, is the bright spot whence the brightness of the divine manifestation spreads forth like the rising sun. In itself certainly it is not inappropriate, with the lxx, Vulgate, and Luther, to take מכלל־יפי as a designation of the manifestation of…
Open source ↗It is probable that Asaph was not only the chief musician, who was to put a tune to this psalm, but that he was himself the penman of it; for we read that in Hezekiah's time they praised God in the words of David and of Asaph the seer, Ch2 29:30. Here is, I. The court called, in the name of the King of kings (Psa 50:2): The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken - El, Elohim, Jehovah, the God of infinite power justice and mercy, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. God is the Judge, the Son of God came for judgement into the world, and the Holy Ghost is the Spirit of judgment. All the earth is called to attend, not only because the controversy God had with his people Israel for their hypocrisy and ingratitude might safely be referred to any man of reason (nay, let the house of Israel itself judge between God and his vineyard, Isa 5:3), but because all the children of men are concerned to know the right way of worshipping God, in spirit and in truth, because when the kingdom of the Messiah should be set up all should be instructed in the evangelical worship, and invited to join in it (see Mal 1:11, Act 10:34), and because in the day of final judgment all nations shall be gathered together to receive their doom, and every man shall give an account of himself unto God. II. The judgment set, and the Judge taking his seat. As, when God gave the law to Israel in the wilderness, it is said, He came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir, and shone forth from Mount Paran, and came with ten thousands of his saints, and then from his right hand went a fiery law (Deu 33:2), so, with allusion to that, when God comes to reprove them for their hypocrisy, and to send forth his gospel to supersede the legal institutions, it is said here, 1. That he shall shine out of Zion, as then from the top of S…
Open source ↗Ps 50 God appears as judge to remind the godly and the ungodly in turn that outward performance of sacrificial rituals and recitation of the law are worthless without thankfulness, repentance, and justice. 50:1-3 The whole universe must pay attention when God approaches to bring justice into the world.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מִזְמוֹר (mizmôwr, H4210) — properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes אָסָף (ʼÂçâph, H623) — Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first אֵל (ʼêl, H410) — strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִזְרָח (mizrâch, H4217) — sunrise, i.e. the east שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… מָבוֹא (mâbôwʼ, H3996) — an entrance (the place or the act); specifically sunset or the west; also (adverb with…
Open source ↗צִיּוֹן (Tsîyôwn, H6726) — Tsijon (as a permanent capital), a mountain of Jerusalem מִכְלָל (miklâl, H4359) — perfection (of beauty) יֳפִי (yŏphîy, H3308) — beauty אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יָפַע (yâphaʻ, H3313) — to shine
Open source ↗אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מְאֹד (mᵉʼôd, H3966) — properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication,… שָׂעַר (sâʻar, H8175) — to storm; by implication, to shiver, i.e. fear סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… עַל (ʻal, H5920) — properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e. God); also (adverb) aloft, to Jehovah אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… חָסִיד (châçîyd, H2623) — properly, kind, i.e. (religiously) pious (a saint) כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the…
Open source ↗שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… נָגַד (nâgad, H5046) — properly, to front, i.e. stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עוּד (ʻûwd, H5749) — to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration);… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or… זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as…
Open source ↗לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) פַּר (par, H6499) — a bullock (apparently as breaking forth in wild strength, or perhaps as dividing the hoof) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders… מִכְלָאָה (miklâʼâh, H4356) — a pen (for flocks)
Open source ↗חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… יַעַר (yaʻar, H3293) — a copse of bushes; hence, a forest; hence, honey in the comb (as hived in trees) בְּהֵמָה (bᵉhêmâh, H929) — properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective) אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… הָרָר (hârâr, H2042) — a mountain
Open source ↗יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) זִיז (zîyz, H2123) — fulness of the breast; also a moving creature שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) עִמָּד (ʻimmâd, H5978) — along with
Open source ↗רָעֵב (râʻêb, H7456) — to hunger אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) תֵּבֵל (têbêl, H8398) — the earth (as moist and therefore inhabited); by extension, the globe; by implication,… מְלֹא (mᵉlôʼ, H4393) — fulness (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) בָּשָׂר (bâsâr, H1320) — flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the… אַבִּיר (ʼabbîyr, H47) — {mighty (spoken of God)} שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… עַתּוּד (ʻattûwd, H6260) — prepared, i.e. full grown; spoken only (in plural) of he-goats, or (figuratively) leaders…
Open source ↗זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… תּוֹדָה (tôwdâh, H8426) — properly, an extension of the hand, i.e. (by implication) avowal, or (usually) adoration;… שָׁלַם (shâlam, H7999) — to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed;… נֶדֶר (neder, H5088) — a promise (to God); also (concretely) a thing promised עֶלְיוֹן (ʻelyôwn, H5945) — an elevation, i.e. (adj.) lofty (compar.); as title, the Supreme
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
From where the sun rises to where it sets, the name of the LORD is praised.
All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
“The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! The LORD, the Mighty One, is God! He knows, and may Israel also know. If this was in rebellion or breach of faith against the LORD, do not spare us today.
The lion has roared— who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken— who will not prophesy?
Listen, O heavens, and give ear, O earth, for the LORD has spoken: “I have raised children and brought them up, but they have rebelled against Me.
So David left Asaph and his brothers there before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, to minister there regularly according to the daily requirements,
You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.
From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king.
O God, be not silent; be not speechless; be not still, O God.
Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.