LINK: Psalms 50
BACKGROUND
This is the first of twelve Psalms titled, “ A Psalm of Asaph.” It’s unclear whether Asaph is the author of the psalms or whether the psalms were dedicated to him.
This psalm opens with three names for God. In English we read “The Mighty One, God, the LORD, has spoken and summoned the whole earth.” I don’t think we get quite the emphasis that is there in the Hebrew, which uses the words “El,” “Elohim,” and consonants that mean Jehovah, which in English is translated LORD. We could make a study of those three names for God, but my only point today is that God wanted to leave no doubt as to who is speaking and summoning here.
REFLECTION
God has something to say and He wants us to hear. He is going to judge everyone. Surprisingly, his judgment will begin with those who identify themselves as His, those who say they are His people. He has something against some of them and charges two groups found within His people.
The LORD first charges those Jews who have totally missed the real purpose for sacrifices. God says He has no complaint about the fact that they are sacrificing. What He is complaining about is those who have forgotten that the sacrifice is one of thanksgiving for the love and mercy of God – the God who owns all and doesn’t need the sacrifices. He reminds them here that He’s not one of the gods like the people around them worship – He doesn’t rely on the sacrifices for food – the sacrifices aren’t something they do to appease Him, but rather speak to their realization of what He has done for them. They should be offering sacrifices from thankful and trusting hearts.
The second group of people that God levels charges at are those who claim to belong to Him, who know His word, yet who are characterized by evil and deceit. They are hypocrites. They aren’t living what they’re learning. God tells these people to repent before it’s too late. These people accuse God of not being interested and feel free to live life the way they want to. They have interpreted His silence as meaning that He doesn’t care how they live. He tells us here that He does. He may be silent at the moment, but it’s not because He doesn’t care. A time of reckoning will come.
So what does this psalm have to do with us today? It warns us, just as it warned the Israelites.
We are not to take God lightly.
God wants our true thanks and worship, not because He needs them, but because we need Him.
He wants our trust.
He want us to give Him glory.
He wants us to reflect Him - to be doers of what we read, not just hearers. We should be living out our thanks to the LORD by living His principles.
We should not think that if God is silent it’s because He doesn’t care how we live. He does.
APPLICATION
Do you find yourself treating God lightly by habitually coming to Him without a heart that is thankful for His love and mercy and provision? Do you reverse His role and yours and somehow think that what you do for God is because He needs it and you are helping Him?
Do you pretend to obey God? Do you act one way at church and another way at work or when you’re alone? Do you claim His promises, but not live the way He says?
This psalm is a warning to those who say they are God’s people. Maybe we’d better heed it long enough to examine ourselves. If you find that you fit either of these categories of people, repent and turn to God with renewed thanks and obedience and trust.
PRAYER
Mighty God and LORD – you have no need for anything from us. Give us thankful hearts to YOU – the owner and giver of all things. Thank you that it is in Jesus’ sacrifice that we have forgiveness and can be your covenant people. Help us to live with integrity so that our actions reflect what we learn from Your Word and demonstrate our thanks to You.
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