Psalms 50:1-23

L. God Looks to Conduct rather than to Sacrifice. For the attitude to sacrifice, cf. Psalms 40*.

Psalms 50:1. The expected Theophany.

Psalms 50:1. Read mg. with LXX. called the earth: since the calling occurs in Psalms 50:4, which is a more appropriate place, read the earth feared.

Psalms 50:5. The LXX reads Gather his saints together unto him, those that have made his covenant with him by sacrifice. The last words refer to Exodus 24:5 ff. For saints-' (hasî dî m), see on Psalms 4.

Psalms 50:7. God does not ask for abundance of sacrifice. He does not eat flesh or drink blood. It is surprising that a Jewish poet should have found occasion to rebuke such gross materialism.

Psalms 50:11. Read with LXX, birds of the heaven, i.e. of the air.

Psalms 50:14 f. Prayer and thanksgiving are better than material sacrifice.

Psalms 50:16. The show of piety in men of corrupt life is hateful to God. The requirements implied are all negative.

Psalms 50:22 f. Final admonition and summary.

Psalms 50:23. To offer a material sacrifice, for the technical language compels us to understand no less, is well, but a well-ordered life is better.