Psalm 50 – Empty Worship

“The dearest idol I have known,

Whatever that idol be,

Help me to tear it from thy throne,

And worship only Thee.”   ~  William Cowper

This Psalm is a psalm of Asaph with a message much like Isaiah 1:11-20, and Micah 6:5-9

The psalm is a picture of a Court of Law.

Israel is on trial.  The are being judged by God.

God (El, Elohim, Jehovah) has Spoken

In Hebrew there is no past, present and future.

1) The *LORD has spoken – in the past

2) The *LORD is speaking – now

3) The *LORD will speak – in the future

  for ALL humanity from the rising of the sun to its going down

When He calls, our only positive reactions should be to LISTEN

He speaks from Mt. Zion the Holy Mountain (Ps. 48:2)

He is the perfection of beauty and glorious radiance.  Revealing His Glory, His Majesty

Vs. 3  The Psalmist with those gathered anticipates His approach upon the scene.  He is watching God’s coming in splendor, describing His arrival.  His Words blaze a trail before Him.  Nature is paving the way for our Lord and the Heavens and earth will testify to His justice.  God alone will be the judge in this Court Room.

His chariots of wrath

The deep thunder clouds form and

Dark is His path on the wings of the storm.

(O Worship The King – Robert Grant)

Vs. 4  The jury, Heaven and Earth are present.

Vs. 5  Israel, God’s chosen, covenant people.  “You have been set apart as holy to the LORD your God, and He has chosen you to be His special treasure from all the nations of the earth.”  Deut. 14:3 NLT.  Israel has become carnal, false, and heartless toward God.  They are summoned and are present.  They were given the 10 commandments, chosen by God to show His love to ALL people, those whom God trusted to be His people, they wait as the Judge speaks.

They may have thought back in their history when God spoke – Exodus 20:1-4  “Then God instructed the people as follows:”  “I am the LORD your God, who rescued you from slavery in Egypt.  Do not worship any other gods besides Me.  Do not make idols of any kind, wheter in the shape of birds or animals or fish.”

Vs.. 6-7  God Speaks: I am God, I am your God, I am your judge.

                 Here are the charges I have against you.

Can you imagine the experience of being in this court room.  Everyone is to be judged.  That includes you and me!  Not by an elected official but by El Elohim, Jehovah who is all knowing and just and fair.

Vs. 8-12  God Speaks and in do so He convicts them not for their sacrifices but for their empty worship.  The attitude that they could put up a show for God and expect Him to accept their sacrifices.

God says, “I don’t want or need your animal sacrifices. 

The truth is they ALL belong to me.  I own them, I know them, they are mine. 

I don’t need any of your ‘gifts’, what would I do with them?  Do I eat their meat of drink their blood?

What I want is:  You to Worship Me

Honest, heartfelt worship-  I want your thankfulness

I want your obedience to my commands – “Do not misuse the name of

The LORD your God.  The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you

misuse His name.  Ex. 20:7

I want you to trust Me in prayer, I will answer you, I will rescue you.

I want you to radiate my glory, give ME the glory-

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.”  Ex. 20:8

Obey My commands towards others.  Ex. 20:12-17

“Honor your father and mother.  Then you will live a long, full life in the land the LORD your God will give you.  Do not murder.  Do not commit adultery.  Do not steal.  Do not testify falsely against your neighbor.  Do not covet your neighbor’s house.  Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else your neighbor owns.”

My judgment to the wicked is

            You recite my decrees, worthless-you teach My law and profane it yourself

You pretend to obey my covenant-you trample My holiness beneath your feet as swine trample upon pearls

You treat My words like trash

You approve the actions of thieves, adulterers

Your mouth is filled with filth

You lie

You slander even your brother, your own mother’s son

[Spurgeon-Alas for us when God, even our fathers’ God, testifies to the hypocrisy of the visible church!]           

Vs. 21  You have done these things, I kept silent while you thought I didn’t really care.  My silence wasn’t My approval.

Here is My sentence based on My charges against you!

Vs. 22  Repent-God, who has been grieved, reaches out to His people and says, “Repent, turn back to Me” I am offering Grace.

BUT if you don’t …”I will tear you apart and there will be no one to help you.”

BUT giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me.

Whoever offereth praise glorifies Me.  If you keep on MY path, I will reveal to you MY salvation.

The Choice:

            Continue as you are and face my judgment

            Turn away from your sin.  Seek Me in Spirit and in Truth and I will deliver you and give               you My salvation (Ps. 91:14-16)

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.  He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him.