Psalm 50:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds.

NIV: I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,

NASB: I will not take a bull from your house, Nor male goats from your folds.

CSB: I will not take a bull from your household or male goats from your pens,

NLT: But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens.

KJV: I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.

NKJV: I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds.

The Lord is judging Israel (Psalm 50:1–6), though they have been consistent in offering their obliged sacrifices (Exodus 29:38–42; Psalm 50:7–8). The issue at hand is not whether they performed those rituals, but whether their hearts were aligned with God, at all. Here, God makes it clear that He will reject those efforts—even though He commanded them, Himself—because Israel is only hypocritically playing along (Psalm 50:16–21). Their sacrifices do not represent humility and dependence (Hosea 6:6).

Isaiah laid a similar charge against the people of Israel. He delivered a stern indictment from the Lord. Isaiah 1:11 quotes the Lord: "What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lᴏʀᴅ; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of well-fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats." Clearly, God disdains the practice of ritualistic worship that rises from a cold heart. Jesus said, "God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24).

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.

Accessed 5/7/2024 2:40:04 AM