Psalm 50

This “Psalm of Asaph” (one of the 3 musical directors appointed by David) issues a strong call to repentant faith in the context of a reminder of God’s ultimate judgment of all of humanity.  It reveals to us the most relevant of truths about God, that “God Himself is Judge” (v6) of all the earth (v1).  God alone is the one who can make the perfect distinction between His “saints” (v5) and “the wicked” (v16). 

·         V1-3 describe the One to whom all give account.  All are called, “from the rising of the sun to its going down” to be judged from Zion, “the perfection of beauty”.  Notice that God “shall not keep silent”.  This judgment is definite, a fire that cannot be diminished.

·         V4-6: The call first is for God’s own people who are defined as “those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”  This is a precise description of the saints of any age.  A blood sacrifice was always essential for man to come to God, from the very beginning (Gen. 3 when God clothed Adam and Eve with the skin of an animal; Gen. 4 when God accepted the sacrifice of Abel) to this very day when men put their trust in the once-for-all blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.  “Without the shedding of blood there is no remission” (Heb. 9:22).  The bringing of a sacrifice was a demonstration of faith.  The worshiper brought the lamb to God’s representative, the priest.  As an act of faith the worshiper placed his hand on the animal as it was killed.  So today believers place their faith in Christ alone.  As Abraham promised Isaac (Gen. 22:8) God has provided Himself the Lamb. 

·         V7-11: God says “I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices.”  That means He has accepted the sacrifice of the saints.  There were times in Israel’s history when God rejected the sacrifices they brought because they were just going through the motions.  They lived in sin with no desire to repent; there was no faith.  Faith alone saves, but it is faith in a fitting sacrifice, always looking to the work of Christ!

·         V12-15: It is not that God is hungry.  That is ridiculous.  Again, the issue is the heart-faith of the worshiper.  Their offering must be true thanksgiving and a recognition that the LORD is the Most High God.  These are His people, the ones He will deliver and who will truly glorify Him. 

·         V16-21:  Contrary to His people are “the wicked”.  God will also judge them; He will “rebuke” them.  They misunderstood His seeming silence or patience as an indication that they were on a good footing with God.  Many people think that way today.  But these ones who “cast My words behind” themselves and whose actions and words are evil, these ones must consider their ways for they will someday stand before their Judge.

·         V22-23: Here is the thing for us to think about today.  Here is the truth.  There is no deliverance for those who have forgotten God!  But whoever glorifies God through a praiseworthy sacrifice, that one will know “the salvation of God.”  When the Bible speaks of judgment it is very black and white.  There are only two possibilities because it comes down to the sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. 

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him. (John 3:36).