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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 50, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [A Psalm of Asaph.] The mighty God, {even} the LORD, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. {of...: or, for Asaph}
Psalms 50:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
Psalms 50:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Psalms 50:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Psalms 50:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
Psalms 50:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God {is} judge himself. Selah.
Psalms 50:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I {am} God, {even} thy God.
Psalms 50:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, {to have been} continually before me.
Psalms 50:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, {nor} he goats out of thy folds.
Psalms 50:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 For every beast of the forest {is} mine, {and} the cattle upon a thousand hills.
Psalms 50:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field {are} mine. {mine: Heb. with me}
Psalms 50:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world {is} mine, and the fulness thereof.
Psalms 50:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Psalms 50:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Psalms 50:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
Psalms 50:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or {that} thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Psalms 50:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
Psalms 50:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers. {hast...: Heb. thy portion was with}
Psalms 50:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit. {givest: Heb. sendest}
Psalms 50:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20 Thou sittest {and} speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.
Psalms 50:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21 These {things} hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether {such an one} as thyself: {but} I will reprove thee, and set {them} in order before thine eyes.
Psalms 50:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear {you} in pieces, and {there be} none to deliver.
Psalms 50:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth {his} conversation {aright} will I shew the salvation of God. {that...: Heb. that disposeth his way}
Psalms 50:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.