Psalms 50

Betrayed but Triumphant

OVERVIEW

God in his righteousness deals with sin in the lives of believers and unbelievers alike. For those who claim a false righteousness characterized by outward devotion but inward wickedness, there is warning and rebuke (Psalm 50). For those who acknowledge and turn from sin, there is forgiveness and restoration (51). The evil liar (52) and the foolish atheist (53) face destruction, but the righteous one who suffers at the hands of evil men can trust in God’s ultimate victory (54).

Psalms 50

MY DAILY WALK

There is something worse than being wounded by an enemy, and that is being wounded by a friend. And when a trusted associate or fellow worker has stabbed you in the back, how should you handle the natural feelings of anger and resentment that come?

Handle them with prayer. When Doeg the Edomite reported David’s whereabouts to King Saul, it must have come as no surprise to either Saul or David, for Doeg was a known ally of the king. But when the men of Ziph—whose border town of Keilah David had personally rescued from a Philistine onslaught—betrayed their deliverer, the sting must have been intense (1 Samuel 23:1-5, 19).

Anger . . . bitterness . . . revenge . . . a desire to run. All are natural responses to betrayal. But none resolves the issue or helps the one betrayed. For that you must turn to God, who alone can heal the wound with a spirit of forgiveness and love. (See David’s example in Psalms 52:8-9; 54:6-7; 55:22.)

YOU NEVER SO TOUCH THE OCEAN OF GOD’S LOVE AS WHEN YOU FORGIVE AND LOVE YOUR ENEMIES.

INSIGHT

Striking the Record | Ps. 51:1

When David penned his plea, “blot out the stain of my sins” (51:1), he was perhaps thinking of how his own administrators kept records of crimes in his kingdom, and he envisioned God doing the same. Can you think of any other metaphors for God removing our sins?

INSIGHT

The Carbon Copy Psalm | Ps. 53:1-6

If upon reading Psalm 53 you get the distinct impression you have read that material before, you’re right. Psalms 14 and 53 are almost identical. The titles differ slightly, one verse is omitted, and the name God is substituted for Lord in three places in Psalm 53. Can you think of a reason why the message of Psalm 14 might be important enough to repeat in Psalm 53?

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1The LORD, the Mighty One, is God,

and he has spoken;

he has summoned all humanity

from where the sun rises to where it sets.

2From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines in glorious radiance.

3Our God approaches,

and he is not silent.

Fire devours everything in his way,

and a great storm rages around him.

4He calls on the heavens above and earth below

to witness the judgment of his people.

5“Bring my faithful people to me—

those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”

6Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,

for God himself will be the judge.

Interlude

7“O my people, listen as I speak.

Here are my charges against you, O Israel:

I am God, your God!

8I have no complaint about your sacrifices

or the burnt offerings you constantly offer.

9But I do not need the bulls from your barns

or the goats from your pens.

10For all the animals of the forest are mine,

and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know every bird on the mountains,

and all the animals of the field are mine.

12If I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for all the world is mine and everything in it.

13Do I eat the meat of bulls?

Do I drink the blood of goats?

14Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God,

and keep the vows you made to the Most High.

15Then call on me when you are in trouble,

and I will rescue you,

and you will give me glory.”

16But God says to the wicked:

“Why bother reciting my decrees

and pretending to obey my covenant?

17For you refuse my discipline

and treat my words like trash.

18When you see thieves, you approve of them,

and you spend your time with adulterers.

19Your mouth is filled with wickedness,

and your tongue is full of lies.

20You sit around and slander your brother—

your own mother’s son.

21While you did all this, I remained silent,

and you thought I didn’t care.

But now I will rebuke you,

listing all my charges against you.

22Repent, all of you who forget me,

or I will tear you apart,

and no one will help you.

23But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.

If you keep to my path,

I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”