Bible Commentaries
Psalms 50

Verse 1

Title. of Asaph = of, or for Asaph. The only Psalm of Asaph in Book II, the others being in Book III of the Psalms.

The mighty God, even the LORD. Hebrew "El, Elohim, Jehovah" = The God of Gods, even Jehovah. Occurs only here and Joshua 22:22 (twice). See App-4 .

Verse 2

Zion. See App-68 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 3

shall come. The promise of Exodus 3:7 , Exodus 3:8 turned into a prayer. Compare Isaiah 11:11 .

not keep silence. Now He is keeping silence. But He will speak again, and here we are told what He will say.

Verse 5

Gather = Gather in.

saints = those who have found favour with God. Compare Matthew 24:29-31 .

by sacrifice. Compare Exodus 24:8 .

Verse 6

Selah. Connecting the "call" to "hear" what true worship is (verses: Psalms 50:7-15 ), and to "consider" what true service is (verses: Psalms 50:16-22 ) when these things come into judgment (Psalms 50:6 ). Both are summed up in Psalms 50:23 . ( App-66 .)

Verse 12

world. Hebrew. tebel = the habitable world (Greek. oikoumene) .

Verse 14

Offer. Hebrew. zabach. App-43 . Here is true worship. See Psalms 50:23 ; Psalms 40:6 ; Psalms 51:17 . Hebrews 13:15 . Compare Isaiah 1:11-14 .Jeremiah 7:22 , Jeremiah 7:23 .Hosea 6:6 . Amos 5:21 . This is the opposite of "unthankful" (2 Timothy 3:2 ).

MOST HIGH. Hebrew Elyon. App-4 .

Verse 16

wicked. Hebrew rasha. App-44 .

saith = hath said.

What. ? Figures of speech Erotesis and Apodioxis. App-6 . See Romans 2:21 , Romans 2:22 .

Verse 18

consentedst with = foundest pleasure with. Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulg, read "rannest".

Verse 19

evil. Hebrew. raa . App-44 .

frameth = weaveth.

Verse 20

thine own mother's son. Figure of speech Periphrasis , for emphasis.

Verse 21

I kept silence ; Thou thoughtest. Compare Ecclesiastes 8:11-13 .Isaiah 3:11 ; Isaiah 26:10 .

Verse 22

GOD. Hebrew Eloah. App-4 .

deliver = rescue.

Verse 23

conversation = way. Some codices, with five early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "And there [will be] a way by which I will show to him", &c.

To the chief Musician. See App-64 .