A psalm by Asaph.
This song was written by Asaph. He was a leading Levite musician who also wrote Psalms 73-83.
50:1 El, God, the Lord speaks, and summons the earth to come from the east and west.
Asaph begins his song by addressing God by three different names. The first Hebrew name of God is אֵ֤ל (el), meaning the strong and powerful God. The second Hebrew name of God is אֱֽלֹהִ֡ים (elohim), meaning the Triune-Creator God. The third name of God is יְֽהוָ֗ה (Jehovah), meaning the Promise-keeping-Covenant-keeping God.
God is sitting in court as the Judge of all creation. He summons all of the earth into His courtroom.
50:2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God comes in splendor.
Zion is Jerusalem, the most beautiful of all places. God will hold His courtroom in Jerusalem. He arrives in Jerusalem with all of His splendor.
50:3 Our God approaches and is not silent; consuming fire goes ahead of him and all around him a storm rages.
God approaches the courtroom in Jerusalem. He is not silent. He enters the courtroom as a consuming fire. There is a storm raging all around Him. He is coming in judgment.
50:4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.
God summons all of the created beings of heaven and earth to His courtroom. This would include all angels, demons, and humans.
5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
Jehovah is the Judge of the court. He calls the people of Israel before Him. The covenant that Jehovah made with Israel was the Mosaic Covenant. It was a conditional covenant. As long as Israel was obedient to the conditions of the covenant, then they would continue to live in the land in prosperity. If they did not keep the stipulations of the covenant, then they would be removed from the land.
50:6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah)
The Hebrew word for fairness is צִדְק֑וֹ (tsadiku), meaning “His righteousness.” The heavens declare the righteousness of God. God is the Judge who will judge all judges.
50:7 He says: “Listen my people! I am speaking! Listen Israel! I am accusing you! I am God, your God!
God speaks as the Judge of the universe. He has an accusation to make against Israel.
50:8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
Israel was making their sacrifices to God in a very continuous and ritualistic manner.
50:9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds.
Jehovah does not need animal sacrifices.
50:10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
All of the animals of the world already belong to God.
50:11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
All of the birds and the insects belong to God. He even knows the exact number of them.
50:12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
God never gets hungry because He is omnipotent. If even He did get hungry, then He would not tell Israel. God owns all of the food in the world.
50:13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
The answer is no. God does not need to eat the flesh of bulls or the blood of goats.
50:14 Present to God a thank-offering! Repay your vows to the sovereign One!
Jehovah commanded the Israelites to make a thank-offering to God. He asked them to repay their vows to Him, because He was sovereign over all of history.
50:15 Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you, and you will honor me!”
Jehovah commanded Israel to pray to Him when they were in trouble. He promised Israel that He would deliver them. After this deliverance, then Israel would honor Him.
50:16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
God was sitting in Jerusalem as the Judge of all created beings. He asked the evil humans a question. “How can these evil men claim that they keep the Mosaic Covenant?”
50:17 For you hate instruction and reject my words.
The evil doers hate the Word of God. They do not know the Word of God. They reject what they hear.
50:18 When you see a thief, you join him; you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.
These evil men see a thief and join him. They also associate and join with other adulterers. Jehovah may be accusing them of wife-swapping.
50:19 You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive.
These evil men of Israel use slander and deceit to destroy their competition.
50:20 You plot against your brother; you slander your own brother.
These evil men of Israel plot against and slander their own brother.
50:21 When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you!
God’s silence cannot be considered as approval. He was watching and recording everything that these evil men of Israel accomplished. Their cup of iniquity was full. He was now ready to move in judgment against Him.
50:22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God! Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you.
Jehovah asked these evil men of Israel to consider these accusations. If they rejected this message, then Jehovah would rip them to shreds. No one will be able to rescue them from the wrath of God.
50:23 Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”
If Israel offers a thank-offering, then they will honor Jehovah. If anyone follows the Mosaic Law, then Jehovah will reveal His power to that person.