What does Psalm 50:12 mean?

God is described as a judge of immeasurable power and majesty, come to announce His verdict on Israel (Psalm 50:1–7). He notes that Israel performs their required sacrifices (Psalm 50:8), but He rejects them (Psalm 50:9). God does not "need" those animals as gifts. He already owns everything in creation (Psalm 50:10–11). As the passage continues, God will explain that Israel is making sacrifices with hypocrisy and hollowness. Their actions are correct, but their hearts are cold (Psalm 50:16–21).

Now, the Lord begins a humorous, nearly sarcastic set of remarks. He notes that if He wanted sacrifices so He would have something to eat, He would not tell them because all the world is His. Obviously, though, God does not need to eat. He is all-sufficient in His perfect essence as spirit (John 4:24).

The God who created the universe owns that creation and everything in it, so He lacks nothing. As the all-sufficient owner of existence, God is the giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Instead of asking His people for food and drink, He promises to supply everything His people need. In Matthew 6:25–31 Jesus tells His disciples not to worry about what they will eat or drink or wear. He commands: "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you" (Matthew 6:33). The apostle Paul stressed the fact that God supplies everything believers need. He writes in Philippians 4:19: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."

The following verse will highlight this comment, asking a rhetorical question about God eating food (Psalm 50:13).