What does Psalm 50:14 mean?

Still addressing the people of Israel, God commands them to offer their sacrifices correctly. The people have been going through the motions of religion (Psalm 50:8). But their lives are marked with sin—their sacrifices are insincere and hypocritical (Psalm 50:16–21). God isn't asking for sacrifices so that He can eat (Psalm 50:10–12). Rather, the Lord wants His people to offer sacrifices as an obedient, loving response to Him in faith. This begins His explanation of Israel's sin, to be expanded in the next section.

A proper understanding of God's nature should inspire gratitude. Leviticus 7:11–15 gives instructions to the ancient Israelites regarding peace offerings given as a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Leviticus 22:29 says, "And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lᴏʀᴅ, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted." It was to be eaten that same day. The Psalms also encourage worshipers to offer thanksgiving to the Lord. Psalm 118, for instance, urges everyone to "give thanks to the Lᴏʀᴅ, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!" (Psalm 118:1, 29). Psalm 136:1 encourages: "Give thanks to the Lᴏʀᴅ, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever." Verses 2 and 3 repeat the refrain, using different titles for God; the remainder of the psalm recounts things that God has done, and each verse repeats the reality of God's love. The final verse, again, exhorts giving thanks to God. New Testament believers ought to give thanks to God for His inexpressible gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), and 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells believers to "give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."