Psalm 50:12 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine.

NIV: If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

NASB: If I were hungry I would not tell you, For the world is Mine, and everything it contains.

CSB: If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine.

NLT: If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is mine and everything in it.

KJV: If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

NKJV: “If I were hungry, I would not tell you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.

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).

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.