Fiery Judgement
(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.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.
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.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
5 Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.
8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices or thy burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, nor he goats out of thy folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.
11 I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.
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?
17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.
18 When thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers.
19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, and thy tongue frameth deceit.
20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.
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.
22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.
Fiery Judgement
In Psalm 50, David foretells a terrible and frightening day of judgment for all God’s people. He writes in the voice of an angry God, expressing displeasure in the ritualistic sacrifices of His people when He requires true praise and obedience. There is hope if the righteous heed this warning. “The mighty God hath spoken,” the Psalm begins, “and His presence will be felt in all the earth from sun up to sun down.” This God’s entrance is turbulent and frightening. “A fire shall devour before Him and it shall be very tempestuous about Him.” God is gathering all His people together before Him. He is holding into account all those who have made a vow to serve Him, those with whom He has a covenant. The heavens shall declare his righteousness for God to judge Himself. The Lord now commands Israel to hear Him and listen as He testifies against them. He boldly states that He is God, even their God. He clearly has the authority to judge His people.
He tells them He will not reprove them for their sacrifices. God had instituted sacrifices in atonement for sins and offerings to Him. So Israel was doing the right things in this regard. However, He explains that He is the creator and master of all things. Therefore, He does not require animal sacrifice to sustain himself. He does not need their offerings; they exist instead as a way to conduct a ritualistic ceremony to Him. “All of the mountain and the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry I would not tell thee for the world is mine and the fullness thereof.” Instead, He calls on his people to offer unto God thanksgiving and “pay thy vows unto the most high.”
“And call upon me in the day of trouble. I shall deliver thee and thou shall glorify me.” So god is saying that what he desires is a true sacrifice from the heart. He wants to hear grateful words of thanksgiving. He expects obedience to the vows of His covenant, honoring his commandments. He is ready and willing to deliver his people who look to him in times of distress. In these ways, they will glorify and honor him.
But then God speaks in judgment to the wicked. These are the people who, although they are counted amongst His people because they took Gis covenant in their mouth, they disregarded instruction. They spoke the words, but did not live up to the vows. He lists some of their sins. They consented with thieves and adulterers. They gave their mouth to evil and spoke with deceit. They also spoke against their brother, slandering him. “These things hath thou done and I kept silence.” Because God did not swiftly and immediately address their wickedness, they continued in sin while also bringing Him sacrifices. Now God says “I will reprove thee and set them in order before thine eyes.” God makes this fierce statement: “Now consider this lest I tear you to pieces now consider this ye that forget God. Whoso offereth praise glorifyeth me. He that orders his conversation aright will I show the salvation of God.” These acts of true worship are the sacrifices that will save God’s people from fiery judgement.
What a day that will be when the righteous stand and face the judgement of God. He says that our works will be tried by fire. God is not just looking at our works, the many ways we sacrifice our lives to serve him. Of course it is good to do good things. But it is not by works that any man should boast. God says obedience is better than sacrifice. He is looking at the intent of our service. Is it truly to glorify him or ourselves? God wants a personal relationship with us. He delights in our praise and worship. He says if we love him we will keep his commandments. And he commands us to love our brother, our neighbor as Christ loves us. God, help me to daily give my heart to you, committing to seek to glorify you first with a holy life.
The Psalms In Your Palm Playlist
Each song is paired with a Sunday Psalm and reflection, blending scripture and sound to inspire peace, understanding and connection.
Special Thanks to Elizabeth Baber and Dr. Shakira for all that you do to make it happen.
Debra Hill
Debra Hill is an independent inspirational singer, author, songwriter, and writer. As a blind performer, she adds a personal story of God’s faithfulness. Her life exemplifies that Christ’s power will work to lift all regardless of circumstances.
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