God’s Guiding Word: Spiritual Renewal
Introduction
Psalm 50: This psalm utilizes the metaphor of a court case, where God is both plaintiff and judge. God calls upon heaven and earth as witnesses and testifies against his people and rebukes those who violate his laws. God speaks about the purpose of sacrifice and the kind of sacrifice he desires. This psalm was most likely used in worship during a festival in which the people renewed their covenant with God.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 50:6
The heavens proclaim that God is righteous, that he himself is judge.
Reading
50 The Almighty God, the LORD, speaks;
he calls to the whole earth from east to west.
2 God shines from Zion,
the city perfect in its beauty.
3 Our God is coming, but not in silence;
a raging fire is in front of him,
a furious storm around him.
4 He calls heaven and earth as witnesses
to see him judge his people.
5 He says, “Gather my faithful people to me,
those who made a covenant with me by offering a sacrifice.”
6 The heavens proclaim that God is righteous,
that he himself is judge.
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel.
I am God, your God.
8 I do not reprimand you because of your sacrifices
and the burnt offerings you always bring me.
9 And yet I do not need bulls from your farms
or goats from your flocks;
10 all the animals in the forest are mine
and the cattle on thousands of hills.
11 All the wild birds are mine
and all living things in the fields.
12 “If I were hungry, I would not ask you for food,
for the world and everything in it is mine.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?
14 Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God,
and give the Almighty all that you promised.
15 Call to me when trouble comes;
I will save you,
and you will praise me.”
16 But God says to the wicked,
“Why should you recite my commandments?
Why should you talk about my covenant?
17 You refuse to let me correct you;
you reject my commands.
18 You become the friend of every thief you see,
and you associate with adulterers.
19 “You are always ready to speak evil;
you never hesitate to tell lies.
20 You are ready to accuse your own relatives
and to find fault with them.
21 You have done all this, and I have said nothing,
so you thought that I am like you.
But now I reprimand you
and make the matter plain to you.
22 “Listen to this, you that ignore me,
or I will destroy you,
and there will be no one to save you.
23 Giving thanks is the sacrifice that honors me,
and I will surely save all who obey me.”
Reflect
How is God described in verse 3? What does God say to the wicked (verses 16–22)? What is the kind of sacrifice that God desires (verses 14, 23)? What does God promise to those who obey him (verse 23)? What does this psalm teach about the nature of true worship versus ritual acts of piety? How will you offer your sacrifice of thanksgiving today?
Pray
Holy God, may I never forget to honor you with a sacrifice of thanksgiving. When you speak, Lord, I will listen and I promise to obey you. I praise your holy name and your saving love. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Psalm 80: A prayer for a nation’s restoration.