Psalms 50

Asaph] Either the Author, 2 Chron. XXIX. 30. Or chief Singer; to whom, and his sons, and posterity it was committed, 1 Chron. XVI. 5, 7. and XXV. 2. to tune it, and sing it, and play it upon musical instruments. And thus, Psal. LXXIII. to LXXXIII. are entituled all to, or for Asaph.

Psalms 50:1

The mighty God] God himself is brought in as a Judge upon the Bench, arraigning, convincing, sentencing, and judging his people.

Psalms 50:2

The perfection of beauty] Psal. XLVIII. 2. Lam. II. 15.

Psalms 50:3

a fire] As at Mount Sinai, when he gave his Law, Heb. XII. 18, 19.

Psalms 50:4

call to the heavens] As Deut. IV. 26. and XXX. 19. and XXXI. 28 and XXXII. 1. Esay I. 2. Micah VI. 1, 2.

Psalms 50:8

not reprove thee for thy Sacrifices] Jer. VII. 22. They used to weary God with outward Offerings; Esay I. 11, 14. and LXVI. 3. Micah VI. 6, 7 Hos. VI. 6. Amos IV. 4, 5. The meaning here is according to that 1 Sam. XV. 22.

Psalms 50:14

Offer] The inward, and real, and substantial part of the Covenant, is the thing which God requireth; obedience and service in spirit and truth. The rejecting the former; and the exacting this later, is the maine matter of this majestical Psalme, 23. Hos. XIV. 3. Heb. XII. 15.

pay thy vowes] Of vowes, see the Annotations on Jonah I, 16.

Psalms 50:16

But unto the wicked] Here God sentenceth those grosse hypocrites that place all Religion in outward Rites and Ceremonies: neglecting the maine duties of Piety and Righteousnesse. Against whom is the maine bent and drift of this Psalme.

Psalms 50:20

And speakest against] Psal. LXIX. 13. The godly do otherwise, Psal. XXVI. 4. 5.