Psalm 50:11 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is mine.

NIV: I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine.

NASB: I know every bird of the mountains, And everything that moves in the field is Mine.

CSB: I know every bird of the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

NLT: I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are mine.

KJV: I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.

NKJV: I know all the birds of the mountains, And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.

God has "arrived," through the description of this psalm, to render a verdict announced to the entire world (Psalm 50:1–6). The accusation begins with what God is not condemning: the completion of required sacrifices (Psalm 50:7–8). Rather, God will rebuke Israel for performing those rituals with hypocrisy and hollowness (Psalm 50:16–21). In this part of the passage, the Lord explains that He doesn't need to be "given" the sacrificed animals, as He already owns them (Psalm 50:10).

Ample evidence of the Lord's knowledge and ownership of all animal life is found throughout the Bible. He directed a flock of quail to fly low enough to the camp of the Israelites so they could knock them to the ground and eat them (Numbers 11:31–32). He gave voice to Balaam's donkey (Numbers 22:22–28). He used ravens to feed Elijah (1 Kings 17:5–6). He appointed a whale to swallow Jonah (Jonah 1:17). He sees the sparrow's fall (Matthew 10:29). He drew a huge school of fish into the nets of Peter, Andrew, James, and John (Luke 5:1–11). He provided an unbroken colt to carry Jesus into Jerusalem (Matthew 21:1–9). He kept a viper from poisoning the apostle Paul (Acts 28:3–5).

God already owns all the birds and animals in nature and can command them to do His will. He does not command sacrifices from Israel because He lacks something. There is a greater purpose to those rituals, which should be performed from the right frame of mind (Hosea 6:6).

Psalm 50:7–15 explains the judgment which God came to deliver in the prior passage. All of creation was called to witness this verdict, given to the supposedly faithful people of the Lord (Psalm 50:1–6). In this passage, God notes that Israel hypocritically participates in sacrifices and rituals—yet they ignore God in their lives. Sin and disobedience mark their habits (Psalm 50:17). Still, they assume God is pleased with them. The Lord explains that without sincerity, those rituals are meaningless.

Asaph depicts God as an unimaginably glorious judge, calling the entire world to hear a divine verdict. Israel has offered sacrifices, but God ignores them. The nation rejects His laws. It is pervaded with blatant sin, even while they claim to be God's chosen people. The Lord's patience does not mean He does not notice. Those who continue ignoring Him will be "torn apart" without any possibility of rescue. Those who respond to God with sincerity will be rescued.

This psalm, written by Asaph, addresses the Lord's intended connection between religious rituals and daily behavior. When the people offer sacrifices, but blatantly reject God's laws, they invite judgment. This passage notes national sins mentioned directly in the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:14–16). In other writings, Asaph expresses frustration over Israel's continued rebellion and God's delayed response (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:10).

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.