03.01. Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Psalm 50 is the first of the psalms in the Psalter bearing the name of Asaph in their inscriptions. It is one of the forty psalms (42-72) that form the second group in the Book.
AUTHORSHIP The titles of twelve psalms (50,73-83) bear the name of Asaph. The name Asaph means "collector." He was a singer with cymbals of brass in the Tabernacle of David (1 Corinthians 15:16-17, 1 Chronicles 15:19), a song writer, psalmist (2 Chronicles 29:30), a seer (Heb.chozeh), one who beholds, a prophet. Concerning the word chozeh, The Complete Word Study Old Testament indicates that ’of the twenty-two occurrences, eleven of them are associated with the name of a particular person, indicating his office as prophet (Gad, 2 Samuel 24:11; 1 Chronicles 21:9; 1 Chronicles 29:29; 2 Chronicles 24:25; Heman, 1 Chronicles 25:5; Iddo, 2 Chronicles 9:29; 2 Chronicles 12:15; Hanani, 2 Chronicles 19:2; Asaph, 2 Chronicles 29:25; Jeduthun, 2 Chronicles 35:15; and the prophet Amos). Used with the meaning of contemplation in Isaiah 47:13....chozeh and navi are contrasted in 2 Kings 17:13; Isaiah 29:10; Amos 7:12. Another word ro’eh is almost identical in meaning to chozeh (1 Samuel 9:9; 1 Chronicles 29:29). Navi means a spokesman (Exodus 7:1-2). Ro’eh and chozeh reflect that God sometimes revealed Himself to prophets by visions.’
Asaph was a Gershonite (1 Chronicles 6:39-43). In Numbers 3:25-26; Numbers 4:24-28, we find that the Gershonites were in-charge of the tabernacle, the tent, its covering, the hangings of the court, the curtain for the door of the court, their cords, and all the instruments in relation to their service. At the time when David decided to bring the Ark of God to Jerusalem, Heman, Asaph, and Ethan were appointed singers to sound with cymbals of brass by the Chief of the Levites upon the word of David (1 Chronicles 15:16-19). Chenaniah, the master of the song, instructed about the song (1 Chronicles 15:22, 1 Chronicles 15:28). After the ark was brought in and set in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it, and the sacrifices were completed, Asaph was appointed the Chief of those Levites appointed by David to minister before the ark of the Lord and to record and to praise the Lord God of Israel. Asaph played the cymbals (1 Chronicles 16:4-6;cf.1 Chronicles 16:37). That same day, David delivered his first psalm to thank the Lord into the hand of Asaph and his brethren (1 Chronicles 16:7). 2 Chronicles 35:15 (during the reign of Josiah, 640-604 BC) refers to the singers as the sons of Asaph. Ezra and Nehemiah record only the Asaphites as the singers (Ez.2.41; Ezekiel 3:10; Nehemiah 7:44; Nehemiah 11:17, Nehemiah 11:22; Nehemiah 12:35, Nehemiah 12:46 : 458-423 BC).
DATE
Since Asaph lived during the period of both David and Solomon’s reign(1 Chronicles 6:31-32), we can decide his life-term as being between or around 1000-900 BC. Psalm 50, then, was composed somewhere during this time.
CHARACTERISTICS The following characteristics of the Psalm may be ascertained from the nature of the office of Asaph himself:
1. The Psalm was probably sung with instruments of music, psalteries and harps and cymbals, sounding (1 Chronicles 15:16).
2. The Psalm was probably sung at a high pitch with much rejoicing (1 Chronicles 15:16).
3. The Psalm is surely a record, a remembrance, a reflection upon; a mention, a declaration, a proclamation; a commemoration of the majesty, righteousness, goodness, and salvation of Yahweh and His covenant relationship with His people. The word for "record", zakhar, in the Hebrew text (1 Chronicles 16:4) indicates the above meanings. (cp. Psalms 50:1, Psalms 50:5, Psalms 50:7, Psalms 50:15-23).
4. The Psalm is also a thanksgiving and praise psalm (1 Chronicles 16:4; cp. Psalms 50:11-6, Psalms 50:14, Psalms 50:23).
5. The Psalm is also prophetic in nature and in harmony with the office of Asaph as a seer. This prophetic Psalm was, most probably, sung with the accompaniment of musical instruments (1 Chronicles 25:1). The seer--one who gazes intently--possesses three kinds of prophetic sights and we expect his prophetic psalm also to possess them; they are: a. A Prophetic Hind-sight -- Retrospective b. A Prophetic In-sight -- Introspective c. A Prophetic Fore-sight -- Prospective As the Psalm unfolds, we find how a retrospective glance at the covenant relationship is made, how an introspective exposure of each of the group’s life is brought forward, and how a prospective look at the consequences is enabled. The introspective exposure can also be well-treated as a prospective analysis of a group-condition in the future, with, of course, a prediction of the consequences.
THEME This Psalm is "A Divine Introduction To The Meaning, Significance, And Gravity Of True Worship." The theme of the Psalm is "God calls for and desires a hearty, holy, honest, and high service to Him from His people while repudiating and warning the dishonest."
OUTLINE INTRODUCTION: The Divine Appearance (Psalms 50:1-3) A. A Call To The Heavens And The Earth (Psalms 50:4-6) A1. A Call To The People Of His Covenant To Realisation (Psalms 50:7-13) 1. That He Is Sovereign (Psalms 50:7-11) 2. That He Is Self-Sufficient (Psalms 50:12-13) *The Covenant Is A Covenant Of Grace.
A2. A Call To True Worship(Psalms 50:14-15) Through 1. Thanksgiving (Psalms 50:14) 2. Vows (Psalms 50:14) 3. Prayer (Psalms 50:15) 4. Glorifying Him After Receiving His Deliverance(Psalms 50:15) B. A Warning To Those Who Falsely Consider Themselves As Part Of The Covenant (Psalms 50:16) B1a. An Exposure Of Their Works (Psalms 50:17-21 a) 1. Rejection Of His Teaching (Psalms 50:17) 2. Accomplice With The Lawless (Psalms 50:18) 3. Godless Speech (Psalms 50:19-21 a) B1b. An Exposure Of Their Thoughts (Psalms 50:21 b) 1. That God Was As Lenient As Themselves *The Covenant Is A Covenant Of Judgement.
B2. The Exposition Of The Fact 1. That God Will Reprove Them (Psalms 50:21 c) 2. That God Will Set The Charge Before Them (Psalms 50:21 c) 3. That God Will Punish Them (Psalms 50:22) CONCLUSION: The Essence Of True Worship (Psalms 50:23)
STATISTICS 1. Words (KJV) -- 399 2. Characters (KJV) -- 1,746 3. "God" -- 10 4. "Offerings" -- 1 5. "Offer" -- 1 6. "Offereth" -- 1 7. "Sacrifice(s)" -- 2 8. "I will..." -- 7 *Psalms 50:7 -- "I will speak...," "I will testify...."
*Psalms 50:8 -- "I will not reprove...."
*Psalms 50:9 -- "I will take no bullock...."
*Psalms 50:15 -- "I will deliver...."
*Psalms 50:21 -- "I will reprove...."
*Psalms 50:23 -- "...will I show the salvation of God."
** "Will I" as interrogative -- 1 (Psalms 50:13)