Psalms 50

1 The Mighty One [all-powerful, having God’s nature], God [Elohim, the supreme God] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], speaks [to communicate, to proclaim] and summons [to call out, to gather] the earth [the land, the material world] from where the sun [the east, the sunrise] rises [in the east, from the rising of the sun] to where it sets [in the west, to the going down of the sun]. word study 2 From [the city of, Mount] Zion, perfect [the perfection of, entirely flawless] in beauty [loveliness, attractiveness], God [Elohim, the one supreme God] shines forth [has shone, sends out beams of light]. word study 3 Our God [Elohim, the supreme One] approaches [comes, arrives] and will not be silent [keep quiet, remain still]! Consuming [devouring, fiery] fire [burning, flame] precedes [goes before] Him, and a tempest [great storm, turmoil] rages [is very tempestuous, storms violently] around [surrounds, encompasses] Him. word study 4 He summons [calls to, cries out to] the heavens [the visible universe, the abode of God] above [from a great height, from on high], and the earth [the land, the world], that He may judge [to govern, to vindicate] His people [His nation, His own]: word study 5 “Gather [to summon, assemble] to Me My saints [pious ones, faithful followers], who made [established, confirmed] a covenant [agreement, promise] with Me by [through, as a result of] sacrifice [offering, atonement].” word study 6 And the heavens [the visible universe, the abode of God] proclaim [declare openly, tell boldly] His righteousness [justice, moral integrity], for God [Elohim, the one supreme God] Himself [He, the Judge] is Judge [the supreme ruler, the one who vindicates]. Selah [a pause, a moment of reflection] word study 7 “Hear [listen and obey], O My people [nation, descendants of Jacob], and I will speak [communicate, testify], O Israel [symbolic name of Jacob, his descendants], and I will testify [bear witness, affirm] against you: I am God [Elohim, the one supreme God], your God [the God of covenant relationship]. word study 8 I do not [will not, refuse to] rebuke you for your sacrifices [offerings, gifts to God], and your burnt offerings [completely consumed, utterly dedicated] are ever [continually, constantly, as a steady habit] before Me [in My presence, under My gaze]. word study 9 I have [no requirement or need] no need for a bull [young ox, male cattle] from your stall [house, dwelling place] or goats [he-goats, male goats] from your pens [folds, enclosures for flocks], word study 10 for [as a result of this relationship] every beast [animal, living creature] of the forest [woodland, wild area] is Mine [belonging to me, in my possession]— the cattle [livestock, domesticated animals] on a thousand [large number, multitude of] hills [mountains, elevated areas]. word study 11 I know [am intimately acquainted with, perceive] every bird [all fowls, every winged creature] in the mountains [hills], and the creatures [wild beasts, moving things] of the field [land, flat area] are Mine [belong to me, with me]. word study 12 If I were hungry [in need of food, physically empty], I would not tell you [inform or command you], for the world [the earth and its inhabitants, all creation] is Mine [belongs to Me, under My authority], and the fullness [abundance, all that is needed] thereof [of the earth, everything in it]. word study 13 Do I [will I, am I to] eat [devour, consume] the flesh [body, meat] of bulls [mighty, strong animals], or drink [feast on, imbibe] the blood [life-giving fluid] of goats [male goats, sacrificial animals]? word study 14 Sacrifice [offer, give] a thank [praise, confession] offering to God [Elohim, the supreme One], and fulfill [complete, pay] your vows [promises, agreements] to the Most High [the supreme authority, El Elyon]. word study 15 Call [cry out to, invoke] upon Me [the Lord, your Savior] in the day [period of time, season] of trouble [distress, adversity, dearness]; I will deliver [rescue, set free, arm for battle] you, and you will honor [glorify, make weighty] Me [your God, the Almighty].” word study 16 To the [morally wrong, guilty of sin] wicked, however, God [Elohim, the supreme God] says, “What right [or authority] have you to recite [or declare, recount] My statutes [divine laws, decrees] and to bear [or lift, take up] My covenant [promise, agreement] on your lips [or mouth, words]? word study 17 For you [as an individual, personally] hate [intensely dislike, reject] My instruction [discipline, correction] and cast [throw away, reject] My words [messages, teachings] behind you [in the past, into forgetfulness]. word study 18 When you see [behold, perceive] a thief [one who steals, a robber], you befriend [consent with, are pleased with] him, and throw in your lot [are partaker, participate] with adulterers [those who commit adultery, the unfaithful]. word study 19 You unleash [send forth, give over to] your mouth [lip, the edge of speech] for evil [bad, moral harm, adversity] and unharness [join, link together] your tongue [the instrument of language, speech] for deceit [deception, cheating, trickery]. word study 20 You sit [dwell, remain] and malign [speak against, slander] your brother [close relative, friend]; you slander [give slander, speak falsely] your own mother’s son [child, descendant]. word study 21 You have done [committed, carried out] these things, and I kept [was utterly] silent; you thought [supposed, assumed] I was just [exactly, altogether] like you [having your nature, similar to you]. But now I rebuke [correct, reprove] you and accuse [bring charges, set in order] you to your face [before your eyes, in your presence]. word study 22 Now consider [think carefully about, understand] this, you who forget God [Eloah, the one true deity], lest [beware, be cautious] I tear [rip apart, pull to pieces] you to pieces, with [there being] no one [nothing, none] to rescue [deliver, save] you: word study 23 He who sacrifices [offers] a thank offering [of praise, glorifying God] honors [glorifies, makes weighty] Me, and to him who [orders, sets] rights his way [path, journey, manner of life], I will show [cause to look on, reveal] the salvation [deliverance, rescue] of God [Elohim, the supreme Provider].” word study