The psalm that comes to our attention now is a fourfold statement to the universe. It is filled with clear, simple points that apply to any generation. Note the divisions before you read the poem:

All that I say is important, wonderful, powerful, universal, needed, and right (50:1-6).
Hear Me: all of this is mine—and you are mine, too (50:7-15).
Accept your accountability before Me (50:16-20).
Consider My warning very seriously (50:21-23).

Now, please read the whole psalm before studying the comments I am providing, for the text of Psalm 50 is far more important and valuable than anything that could ever be said about it.

The Mighty One, God the LORD, Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down.  Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him. 
He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people: "Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice."  Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah 
"Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God!  I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me. I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds.  For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine. 
"If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.  Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?  Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.  Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." 
But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth, Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you? When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.  You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit.  You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son.  These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes. 
"Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver: Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God." 

Now, let us learn some lessons from each of the four sections of Psalm 50.

In the first section (vv.1-6), the Lord made six claims about His message to “this” generation.  In verse 1, He reminds us that His words are important, for they are the words of the God Who is “mighty, God, the LORD”, and can “call the earth.”  In verse 2, He reminds us that His words are wonderful, because He is the shining and beautiful source of His words.  In verse 3, He reminds us that His words are powerful by using terms that describe His ability to speak when and where He decides to speak—and He can do so in a very “tempestuous” way!  In verse 4, He reminds us that His words are universal—wherever there are accountable souls, He will be heard.  In verse 5, He reminds us that His words are needed—He wants His people to hear that which is according to His covenant. In verse 6, He reminds us that His words are right---thus, His judgments are always according to the standard of righteousness.

In the second section (vv. 7-15), the Lord reminds all of His hearers that He is the true possessor of the entire physical universe—including you and me!  There is a strong element of rebuke in Psalm 50, as God “testifies” against the people (v.7).  He speaks of the animals that they offer to Him, and clearly says that the offerings they bring to Him are His already!  Thus, they have the obligation to use all of the resources they have honorably (vv. 8-13.  This is the same point that Paul made in 1 Corinthians 4 when he taught that we are but stewards of the blessings we have during this life.).  In light of this truth, and the rebuke that goes with it, the Most High commands them to offer their thanksgiving and vows, and then He encourages them to call on Him in the day of trouble (vv.14, 15).  If we do not serve Him faithfully all of the time, what right do we have to call on Him when trouble comes?

In the third section (vv. 16-20), the Lord reminds all of His hearers that they have no choice but to accept their accountability before Him.  Obviously, many people do not come to grips with this requirement in this life, and may even think that they are “getting away with it”, but at the judgment, all of us will be accountable.  The fact that we are made in the image of God—we are everlasting souls—means that there is an account to be given for the deeds done in the body, whether they are good or bad.  The lesson on this point in Psalm 50 is from the negative side as the Lord uses examples of the wicked people and their attempts to remove themselves from responsibility for their attitudes, words, and actions. But God “says” to them that they will answer to His statutes, covenant, instruction, and words (vv. 16,17).  They will answer for their thievery, consent to sin, adultery, evil tongues, deceit, and slander (vv. 18-20).

In the fourth section (vv. 21-23), the Lord reminds all of His hearers that they need to consider His warning.  They (and we) need to know that even if the Lord doesn’t immediately speak out against our sins, He does observe them (v.21a).  They (and we) need to know that the Lord is not as we are—He is a person, but He is not a human being.  He is to be reverenced, not lowered, despised, or joked about (v.21b).  They (and we) need to know that He will set all things in order when He sees fit to do so (v. 21c). They (and we) need to consider all of this—lest He tear us in pieces with no possibility of deliverance (v.22)!  And, finally, they (and we) need to know that He is ready to “make of us what we ought to be” whenever we submit to His ways (v.23).

So, let us hear what the Lord God Almighty says to this generation. Let us praise and glorify Him. Let us order our lives correctly before Him. And let us bask in the wonder of His salvation.

  — Skip Andrews

Next week: 
Psalm 51:
My sin is ever before me.
 
 

SICK LIST:  Paul Meacham’s grandmother, Vera Meacham, is very ill in the hospital in Tennessee.  Let’s remember this family in our prayers.
 
GROUP THREE:  Group 3 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
CONGRATULATIONS:  Our young people did very well in the Bible Bowl last Saturday.  The Senior Team [Heather Baker, Austin Hatchett, Wes Hatchett, Julie Hill, Bret Meacham, Paul Meacham III, Josh Reid, and Devendra Williams] placed third; the Junior Team  [Ray Baker III, Clarence Donley, Libby Grubb, Alyssa McAfee, Beth Meacham, Lydia Reid, and Daniel Williams] placed second.  We appreciate all the study and effort put into the Bible Bowl by the participants and the leaders [Brad Bradshaw, Mike Bullard, Thomas Reid, and John Williams].  Great job! 
 
FOR THE RECORD: 4/2          4/9
AM Class                  110          124
AM Worship             131          141
PM Worship              103          116
Wednesday Class      112          103
Contribution            $5871      $7093
Budget                    $6500
THANK YOU:  We want to thank Sharon Kendrick for the beautiful spring flower arrangements.
SING:  There will be a sing at Winder Sunday, April 16.  Details are on the bulletin board in the foyer.