BACKGROUND
This didactic psalm (designed for and intended for teaching) was written by Asaph, a Levite singer (1 Chronicles 16:4-5 and 2 Chronicles 5:12). It is believed to be dated around the beginning of Solomon's reign.
In this psalm, there is a "heavenly courtroom" scene where God speaks to the superficially religious people who only go through the ritualistic motions (50:1-15). Then, he speaks to the wicked who are evil in their words and deeds (50:16-22). Neither is acceptable to God, our worship needs to be from the heart and reflected in our actions.
REFLECTION
This psalm covers the two categories contained in the Ten Commandments and the foremost commandments that Jesus taught: loving God and loving your neighbor (Exodus 20 and Matthew 22:36-40). This is the heartbeat of the drum I tap on a daily basis. Jesus said it was FOREMOST. We need to soak deeply in this! We cannot give to others what we do not have. Love of neighbor overflows from our love of God and is part of “ordering our way aright” (50:23).
APPLICATION
Examine your heart in these two important areas:
Loving God: In what ways have you become ritualistic in your worship of God and not doing it from the heart?
Loving Your Neighbor: Are there any ways that your actions toward others reflect hypocrisy? Do you love your neighbor out of the overflow of your love for God?
Take some time to talk to God about this.
PRAYER
Lord, draw us into pure worship of You from our hearts, and let our hearts of love toward You overflow on to others. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.
1 comment:
He makes it so simple! Love God and Love Neighbor! That is it.
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