Psalm 50:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!"

NIV: "Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

NASB: 'Gather My godly ones to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.'

CSB: "Gather my faithful ones to me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

NLT: 'Bring my faithful people to me — those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.'

KJV: Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

NKJV: “Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Prior verses called on all of heaven and earth to observe God's judgment (Psalm 50:1–3). The prior verse notes that this verdict is pronounced on God's people, the nation of Israel (Psalm 50:4; Exodus 6:7).

Courtroom trials often include a defendant who is charged with a violation of the law. In this verse the defendants are identified as having made a covenant with the Lord. When Moses explained God's covenant to Israel, the people universally agreed to follow all of God's words (Exodus 24:3). The next morning, Moses constructed an altar and made offerings to the Lord, and the people once again committed themselves to the covenant agreement (Exodus 24:4–8). Referring to this history establishes part of God's coming accusation against Israel (Psalm 50:16–17).

The description of God's people as "faithful" is deliberately ironic. The Old Testament is filled with examples of Israel turning away from the Lord's will despite His blessings and warnings (Exodus 32:7–8; Numbers 14:1–4; Judges 2:16–19). In this psalm, however, the complaint is that Israel is merely "faithful" in that they perform hollow, insincere rituals. They defy God's will and wallow in sin, but still go through the motions of religion (Psalm 50:16–21).

Psalm 50:1–6 establishes the nature of God as supreme Judge. Three separate terms are used to identify Him; these highlight His existence as the only true God. The Lord calls His people for judgment and the entire earth to hear the ruling. This gives great weight to the accusations made in the following verses. God's overall criticism is that Israel hypocritically participates in sacrifices, while blatantly defying His will through sin and immorality.

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.