A huge wall of dark storm cloud towering over small, sharply lit pale hills.

Wisdom · Asaph

Psalm 50

God calls His own people into court, and what He says about worship will surprise you.

23 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressurePsalm 50
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom falls
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

The Mighty One Calls

First sunlight striking the ridge of Jerusalem, its wall and flat roofs lit while the valleys below lie in shadow.

A Psalm of Asaph.

The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth

from where the sun rises to where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty,

God shines forth.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

A line of wildfire crossing a dry ridge at dusk, wind driving the smoke flat beneath a towering wall of cloud.

Our God approaches and will not be silent!

Consuming fire precedes Him,

and a tempest rages around Him.

He summons the heavens above,

and the earth, that He may judge His people:

“Gather to Me My saints,

who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

And the heavens proclaim His righteousness,

for God Himself is Judge.

Selah

0:22

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

“Hear, O My people, and I will speak,

O Israel, and I will testify against you:

I am God, your God.

I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices,

and your burnt offerings are ever before Me.

God

God

Do I eat the flesh of bulls,

or drink the blood of goats?

Sacrifice a thank offering to God,

and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

God

Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

Pray

Call

What trouble are you carrying today? Call on Him now, in plain words. Then, when He answers, come back and give thanks.

God

A tied scroll lying in the dust of a road, one edge scuffed, with sandal prints walking away from it.

To the wicked, however, God says,

“What right have you to recite My statutes

and to bear My covenant on your lips?

For you hate My instruction

and cast My words behind you.

God

When you see a thief, you befriend him,

and throw in your lot with adulterers.

You unleash your mouth for evil

and harness your tongue to deceit.

You sit and malign your brother;

you slander your own mother’s son.

God

You have done these things, and I kept silent;

you thought I was just like you.

But now I rebuke you

and accuse you to your face.

Question

Quick question

Listen for what God actually objects to.

God does not fault the sacrifices themselves (verse 8). What is His charge?

God

A clean straight path between two well-kept stone terrace walls, leading to an open gate in clear noon light.

Now consider this, you who forget God,

lest I tear you to pieces,

with no one to rescue you:

He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me,

and to him who rightly orders his way,

I will show the salvation of God.”

God in court

Whiteboard

Two charges, and the same way out.

You’ve experienced

Psalm 50

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.

Psalm 50:15

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