Psalms 50 A PSALM OF ASAPH [Psalms 50:1] THE MIGHTY GOD, EVEN THE LORD, HATH SPOKEN, AND CALLED THE EARTH FROM THE RISING OF THE SUN UNTO THE GOING DOWN THEREOF. This Psalm is directed to all the peoples of the earth and is pertinent to the final judgment. [Psalms 50:2] OUT OF ZION, THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY, GOD HATH SHINED. God the Almighty Creator can only be made acquaintance with as the God of Israel through Zion and Jerusalem. There are reasons for this that are discussed but the bottom line is that it isd the will of the Almighty and we have to come to terms with it. This is also THE PERFECTION OF BEAUTY, the delight of the soul. You would not really want it any other way [Psalms 50:3] OUR GOD SHALL COME, AND SHALL NOT KEEP SILENCE: A FIRE SHALL DEVOUR BEFORE HIM, AND IT SHALL BE VERY TEMPESTUOUS ROUND ABOUT HIM. God is OUR GOD. HE will make HIMSELF known. [Psalms 50:4] HE SHALL CALL TO THE HEAVENS FROM ABOVE, AND TO THE EARTH, THAT HE MAY JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. We may be insignificant in our own eyes but God has chosen us for HIS own reasons. The whole of creation is subservient to us because the Almighty so willed it. Scientists by studying Creation and when using their findings wisely are fulfilling the Will of the Almighty. Most scientists believe in God. Some do not. Scientific (and other) progress cannot really be achieved other than by breaking bounds of scientific convention which however has a purpose and to a degree may be correct. [Psalms 50:5] GATHER MY SAINTS TOGETHER UNTO ME; THOSE THAT HAVE MADE A COVENANT WITH ME BY SACRIFICE. We have to belong to the Almighty. This can mean the sacrifice of some part of ourselves. [Psalms 50:6] AND THE HEAVENS SHALL DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS: FOR GOD IS JUDGE HIMSELF. SELAH. The Alomighty is self-sufficient unto HIMSELF. [Psalms 50:7] HEAR, O MY PEOPLE, AND I WILL SPEAK; O ISRAEL, AND I WILL TESTIFY AGAINST THEE: I AM GOD, EVEN THY GOD. Israel is the People of God. We have more obligations and greater duties than others do. [Psalms 50:8] I WILL NOT REPROVE THEE FOR THY SACRIFICES OR THY BURNT OFFERINGS, TO HAVE BEEN CONTINUALLY BEFORE ME. We are not expected to perform beyond our means. [Psalms 50:9] I WILL TAKE NO BULLOCK OUT OF THY HOUSE, NOR HE GOATS OUT OF THY FOLDS. [Psalms 50:10] FOR EVERY BEAST OF THE FOREST IS MINE, AND THE CATTLE UPON A THOUSAND HILLS. [Psalms 50:11] I KNOW ALL THE FOWLS OF THE MOUNTAINS: AND THE WILD BEASTS OF THE FIELD ARE MINE. [Psalms 50:12] IF I WERE HUNGRY, I WOULD NOT TELL THEE: FOR THE WORLD IS MINE, AND THE FULNESS THEREOF. [Psalms 50:13] WILL I EAT THE FLESH OF BULLS, OR DRINK THE BLOOD OF GOATS? [Psalms 50:14] OFFER UNTO GOD THANKSGIVING; AND PAY THY VOWS UNTO THE MOST HIGH: God wants us to thank HIM and to show our thanks by doing good and amking an extra effort to do so. [Psalms 50:15] AND CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE: I WILL DELIVER THEE, AND THOU SHALT GLORIFY ME. Call unto God in time of trouble and HE will help you. This can be difficult but it works and the very ability to do it is a gift from on High. [Psalms 50:16] BUT UNTO THE WICKED GOD SAITH, WHAT HAST THOU TO DO TO DECLARE MY STATUTES, OR THAT THOU SHOULDEST TAKE MY COVENANT IN THY MOUTH? [Psalms 50:17] SEEING THOU HATEST INSTRUCTION, AND CASTETH MY WORDS BEHIND THEE. [Psalms 50:18] WHEN THOU SAWEST A THIEF, THEN THOU CONSENTEDST WITH HIM, AND HAST BEEN PARTAKER WITH ADULTERERS. These sound like very serious matters and they are. A not inconsiderable number of people are afflicted by the sins of dishonesty and sexual immorality. Good people are also liable to slip up in these matters. Even if we are ourselves have managed not to succumb to serious sin it frequently happens that we are almost forced to condone the actions of those who do or to look the other way. We need the Media but frequently the media is used to inculcate attitudes that justify moral turpitude at several levels. Everyone is human and temptation can take many forms. We are all capable of repentance and the Bible is constantly repeating this theme of repentance. Make a resolution. Make a beginning and God will help you. You exist. You live. You have potential. God wants you for your own good and the good of others. This message may sound obvious but there are moments when we all need to take it to heart. [Psalms 50:19] THOU GIVEST THY MOUTH TO EVIL, AND THY TONGUE FRAMETH DECEIT. [Psalms 50:20] THOU SITTEST AND SPEAKEST AGAINST THY BROTHER; THOU SLANDEREST THINE OWN MOTHER'S SON. Belief in Conspiracy Theories is against the Bible because they are false and because they slander the People of the Almighty, the Peoples of Israel.
[Exodus 20:16] THOU SHALT NOT BEAR FALSE WITNESS AGAINST THY NEIGHBOUR. If we do not protest it would be as if we too are a party to the Conspiracy of Lies created by Conspiracy Cranks and their Free-Thinking fellow travelers. This applies in other fields. Sometimes one does not know how to react. We all need the guidance of the Almighty. We should try to do as well as we can and be prepared to fail if necessary though in effect failure too is a bluff and God will help us. [Psalms 50:22] NOW CONSIDER THIS, YE THAT FORGET GOD, LEST I TEAR YOU IN PIECES, AND THERE BE NONE TO DELIVER. God can punish us far more certainly than others can. This too should be obvious but there are moments when we all tend to forget it. [Psalms 50:23] WHOSO OFFERETH PRAISE GLORIFIETH ME: AND TO HIM THAT ORDERETH HIS CONVERSATION ARIGHT WILL I SHEW THE SALVATION OF GOD. We should try to speak correctly and Biblically. Try not to offend others but rather to encourage and help those who need it. It is not too difficult. <<ORDERETH HIS CONVERSATION ARIGHT>>: Hebrew "Sem Derekh" literally "sets his way" i.e. thinks about what he is doing and does it correctly. This would include conversation but encompasses everything else as well. |