Psalms 50 · Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
PSALM 50 Psa 50:1-23 . 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. 1-4. The description of this majestic appearance of God resembles that of His giving the law (compare Ex 19:16 ; 20:18 ; De 32:1 ).
5. my saints-- ( Psa 4:3 ). made-- literally, "cut" a covenant, &c.-- alluding to the dividing of a victim of sacrifice, by which covenants were ratified, the parties passing between the divided portions (compare Ge 15:10 , 18 ).
6. The inhabitants of heaven, who well know God's character, attest His righteousness as a judge.
7. I will testify-- that is, for failure to worship aught. thy God-- and so, by covenant as well as creation, entitled to a pure worship.
8-15. However scrupulous in external worship, it was offered as if they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a degrading view of Him as needing it [Psa 50:9-13]. Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches them to offer, or literally, "sacrifice," thanksgiving, and pay, or perform, their vows-- that is, to bring, with the external symbolical service, the homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love. To this is added an invitation to seek, and a promise to afford, all needed help in trouble.
16-20. the wicked-- that is, the formalists, as now exposed, and who lead vicious lives (compare Ro 2:21 , 23). They are unworthy to use even the words of God's law. Their hypocrisy and vice are exposed by illustrations from sins against the seventh, eighth, and ninth commandments.
21-22. God, no longer (even in appearance) disregarding such, exposes their sins and threatens a terrible punishment.