Bible Commentaries
Psalms 50

Introduction

BOOK II.— PSS. XLII.– LXXII.

Psalms 42-83 are Elohistic, i.e. they use the word God (Elohim) and avoid the proper name Yahweh, probably from motives of reverence. Here and there, however, the name Yahweh has crept into the text by a natural slip of the scribes.

Verses 1-23

L. God Looks to Conduct rather than to Sacrifice.— For the attitude to sacrifice, cf. Psalms 40*.

Psalms 50:1-6 . The expected Theophany.

Psalms 50:1 . Read mg. with LXX.— called the earth: since the calling occurs in Psalms 50:4, which is a more appropriate place, read “ the earth feared.”

Psalms 50:5 . The LXX reads “ Gather his saints together unto him, those that have made his covenant with him by sacrifice.” The last words refer to Exodus 24:5 ff. For “ saints’ ( hasî dî m) , see on Psalms 4.

Psalms 50:7-15 . God does not ask for abundance of sacrifice. He does not eat flesh or drink blood. It is surprising that a Jewish poet should have found occasion to rebuke such gross materialism.

Psalms 50:11 . Read with LXX, “ birds of the heaven,” i.e. of the air.

Psalms 50:14 f. Prayer and thanksgiving are better than material sacrifice.

Psalms 50:16-21 . The show of piety in men of corrupt life is hateful to God. The requirements implied are all negative.

Psalms 50:22 f . Final admonition and summary.

Psalms 50:23 . To offer a material sacrifice, for the technical language compels us to understand no less, is well, but a well-ordered life is better.