Book 2: Psalm 42-72 God’s presence going before us
Title: A Psalm of Asaph
I. The summons of the Judge (vs. 1-6)
A. The persona of the Judge is declared.
B. The people of the earth are to witness.
C. The purpose of the Judge is proclaimed.
D. The presence of the Judge is proclaimed.II. The summons of incomplete worship (vs. 7-15)
A. God declares His standing to judge His people.
B. God declares His satisfaction with their offerings.
C. God declares His summons to His people.III. The severity of hypocrisy in worship (vs. 16-21)
A. The Judge rebukes the hypocrisy of the wicked.
B. The Judge renounces the guilt of hypocrisy.
C. The Judge reveals His forbearance. IV. A call to genuine worship (vs. 22-23)
A. The Judge warns the hypocrite to repent.
B. The Judge wants sacrifices of sincere gratitude.
C. The Judge wants service of sincere obedience.Psalm 50 is the first Psalm written by Asaph. Asaph was appointed by David in I Chronicles 16:4-5 as the chief Levitical singer. He served in this role throughout David’s and Solomon’s reign. In II Chronicles 29:30, Asaph is referred to as a seer or prophet. His descendants continued to serve as both Levitical singers and composers of many of the Psalms.
This Psalm begins with a majestic introduction of God as Israel’s judge. He calls the world to witness His dealings with His people. In God’s indictment of Israel, He commends them for their outward actions of worship. As a nation, they did what He required by keeping the daily sacrifice. Their failure was not external, but internal. Their worship failed in genuine gratitude for who God is and what He does for them. They also failed to show their respect for their fellow man. Let us learn from this Psalm and worship God with both our hearts and our hands.