Psalms of Asaph: God Himself is Judge

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Psalm 50

 

Psalm 50:6

The heavens declare his righteousness,
    for God himself is judge! 

(ESV)

 

With this post, we begin a study of the Psalms of Asaph. While we typically think the Psalms were written by David, Asaph wrote twelve of the Psalms. Asaph was one of the Levitical singers present when the ark was brought to the Temple (2 Chronicles 5:12). In Psalm 50, the topic is God Himself is judge, judging both the wicked and God’s people.

 

Asaph begins the Psalm with a declaration of God as the mighty one who shines out of Zion, the perfection of beauty (Psalm 50:1-2). When God comes, he is not silent but comes like a devouring fire and mighty tempest (Psalm 50:3). God calls for the gathering of His people so He can judge them (Psalm 50:4-6). God is not judging Israel for their lack of offering sacrifices for they have been faithful in continually offering the required sacrifices (Psalm 50:7-8).

 

God then states that He will not accept a bull from them because every beast of the forest, the cattle on a thousand hills, the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field belongs to the Lord (Psalm 50:9-11). God does not need animal sacrifices for food and instead seeks His people offering a sacrifice of thanksgiving, performing their vows unto the Lord most high, and for them to call on the Lord in times of trouble (Psalm 50:12-15).

 

God’s judgment of the wicked begins with God asking them what right they have to recite God’s statutes or speak of His covenant (Psalm 50:16). The wicked hate discipline and ignore God’s Words (Psalm 50:17). The wicked are pleased when they see a thief and keep company with adulterers (Psalm 50:18). The speech of the wicked is deceitful and evil with them speaking against their brother and slandering their own mother’s son (Psalm 50:19-20). God has remained silent about what the wicked have done causing them to believe God is just like them, but God is now about to rebuke them (Psalm 50:21). God warns the wicked to mark His words lest He tear them apart with none to deliver them (Psalm 50:22). However, one who offers thanksgiving as his or her sacrifice glorifies God with God showing salvation to those who order their ways rightly (Psalm 50:23).  

 

When addressing the Church in Ephesus, God commended their works, toil, and patient endurance. God also commended their testing of those who call themselves apostles, finding them to be false. However, God had one thing against them, they abandoned their first love (Revelation 2:1-4). Similarly, the Jews in Psalm 50 are faithful in their religious practices which are the offering of sacrifices to God (Psalm 50:8). God, however, rebukes them by reminding them that he has no need for animal sacrifices for every animal on earth belongs to Him (Psalm 50:9-13). Instead, God desires a sacrifice of thanksgiving from his people and for them to call out to God when in trouble (Psalm 50:14-15). The wicked have no right to recite God’s statutes because they lack discipline and associate with evil instead of having a relationship with God (Psalm 50:16-21). The wicked will incur God’s judgment whereas one offering thanksgiving as a sacrifice and ordering his or her life by God’s Word will have salvation (Psalm 50:22-23).

 

While the practice of spiritual disciplines is important in the life of a believer, it is not what saves them for their salvation is from the grace of God and not their works (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, this does not mean the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, and association with other believers are not important for these disciplines help in the development of a closer relationship with God the Father. God made a path to a relationship with Him through the death, burial, and resurrection of His son, Jesus Christ (Romans 10:9-10) and now desires a relationship with us. Bible study teaches us about God and prayer is our line of communication with God, something even Jesus did (Luke 6:12). Association with other believers encourages us as we learn from the experiences of others who are also building a closer relationship with God (Hebrews 10:25). If you are reading this and do not have a relationship with God, I encourage you to begin a relationship with God by praying with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.