Fiftieth Psalm
By Terry Cheek Th.D.
McDowell County
This month we continue our verse-by-verse exposition of the fiftieth Psalm. Whether written by Asaph or written to him is not of concern here. It is the word of God. It transcends centuries and continues to accomplish God’s purpose. Join me as we investigate verses one through six this month. Psalm 50 verse 7: “Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.” “Hear, O my people, and I will speak.” God speaks, and these are self-confessedly his own people, they are compelled to give sincere attention. Some of you may like me remember this old TV commercial, “when E.F. Hutton speaks, people listen.” Well, that is where the people of God should be when it comes to God’s people giving our undivided attention at His command. “Let me speak,” says the creator of Heaven and Earth.
The heavens and earth are but listeners, the Lord is about both to testify and to judge. God’s people could, then and now, avoid many tribulations if we would only let God speak. Too often we place ourselves in the position of being advisors to the Lord. Without a doubt, God wants and desires to hear our pleas and prayers. He also wants us to let Him speak words that comfort, encourage, and even convict us. “O Israel, and I will testify against thee.” Charles Spurgeon has this to say; “Their covenant name is mentioned to give point to the address; it was a double evil that the chosen nation should become so carnal, so unspiritual, so false, so heartless to their God.”
Today’s Church should consider this statement, after all the Saints of God carry the covenant name Church. We should ask ourselves this question. Have we become carnal, unspiritual, false, or even heartless? God’s eyes do not sleep, He is not misled by rumor, but sees for Himself, and arrives on the scene as a witness against His covenant people. Just as Israel’s hypocrisy was called out, we can be sure the hypocrisy of the Church will be as well. “I am God, even thy God.” He had taken Israel, even the seed of Abraham to be His peculiar people above all others, and they affirm that He was their God. It was God’s love that was the special reason for calling them to account. The law began with, “I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt,” and now judgment opens with the same reminder, their singular position, privilege, and responsibility. It is not only that Jehovah is God, but thy God, O Israel; this it is that makes thee so responsive to His searching reproofs.
This one verse is the text for many gospel messages. Within it, we can find many great doctrines. A few of them are Grace, Mercy, Love, Rebuke, Reproof, Redemption, and Conviction. I pray this one verse from the fiftieth Psalm moves your heart as it has moved mine.
Until we meet again, in person or in print, may God keep you firmly in His grip!
Italics added
Works Cited:
The treasury of David; Charles Spurgeon
John Gill commentary on the Bible
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Terry is the Executive Director and broadcaster of The Inspiring Word media ministry. You can contact Terry by email at theinspiringword@gmail.com.
Or by visiting www.theinspiringword.org. Read more good Christian news from Terry here.
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