Psalm 50:3 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Our God comes; he does not keep silence; before him is a devouring fire, around him a mighty tempest.

NIV: Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.

NASB: May our God come and not keep silent; Fire devours before Him, And a storm is violently raging around Him.

CSB: Our God is coming; he will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes him, and a storm rages around him.

NLT: Our God approaches, and he is not silent. Fire devours everything in his way, and a great storm rages around him.

KJV: Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.

NKJV: Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

The psalmist, Asaph, is setting a dramatic scene as God arrives to proclaim judgment (Psalm 50:1–2). This verse repeats common imagery used for God's power, including fire and storms (Deuteronomy 4:24; Isaiah 28:2). It also touches on themes Asaph often addressed in his work (Psalm 73:2–3; 74:10).

When God gave the Law to Israel, He descended on Mount Sinai in fire, and the mountain shook (Exodus 19:18). Exodus 24:17 says, "Now the appearance of the glory of the Lᴏʀᴅ was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel." Reflecting on that occasion, Moses told the people of Israel: "And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. Then the Lᴏʀᴅ spoke to you out of the midst of the fire" (Deuteronomy 4:11–12). It is customary for a human judge to be clothed with a robe, but the Judge of heaven and earth is clothed in brilliant glory.

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.

Accessed 5/6/2024 9:08:25 PM