Click here to read PSALM 50 in poetic form.
Background
The title includes “A Psalm of Asaph.” This is the only Psalm with this title in the “Exodus” book of the Psalms (Psalms 42-72). There are 11 Psalms (73-83) with this title in the “Leviticus” book of Psalms (Psalms 73-89). Regarding Asaph, Nehemiah 7:44 speaks of “The singers: the children of Asaph.” They were responsible for worship in the Temple. For further study on Asaph, see II Kings 18:18,37; I Chronicles 6:39; 9:15; 15:17,19; 16:5,7,37; 25:1,2,6,9; 26:1; II Chronicles 5:12; 20:14; 29:13,30; 35:15; Ezra 2:41; 3:10; Nehemiah 2:8; 7:44; 11:17,22; 12:35,46; Psalms 50:1; 73:1; 74:1; 75:1; 76:1; 77:1; 78:1; 79:1; 80:1; 81:1; 82:1; 83:1; Isaiah 36:3,22.
This Psalm includes the Hebrew term “Selah,” which means to pause. Some Bible teachers say this connected the truths that come before and after the term. In this Psalm, the “Selah” in verse 6 divides the Psalm into two similar sections.
Structure
(Verses 1,2) True sacrifice to God in Zion
(Verses 3,4) God’s judgment on the wicked
(Verses 5,6) God blesses His people
Pause
(Verses 7-15) True sacrifice to God in Zion
(Verses 16-22) God’s judgment on the wicked
(Verse 23) God blesses His people
Key Scriptures
Verses 14,15—“Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.” Jesus Christ understood what true worship and sacrifice was. This is similar to Hosea 6:6: “For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings,” which Jesus quoted twice to the Pharisees (Matthew 9:13; 12:7). Jesus called upon his Father in “the day of trouble,” and God delivered him time and again. He glorified the Father by his life of love and service (Matthew 5:16; John 12:28; 14:13; 15:8; 17:1,5,24).
Verse 23—“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Jesus Christ praised his Father and taught others to worship him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). Jesus ordered his conversation aright and always did the will of his Father. That is why Jesus is our savior and lord. The word “salvation” in this verse is yesha, the root form of the name Joshua or Jesus. This verse says that God saves. He does this through His Son.
FOR FURTHER STUDY
All 150 of The Psalms in Poetic Form are available from Amazon in a book, either Large Print or a smaller Bedside Reader. Also available for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership. Enjoy!
The entire blog series is now available in the publication The Psalms: Background & Structure with Key Scriptures Explained.
