THANKSGIVING GLORIFIETH ME

The writer of this psalm, Asaph (meaning, gatherer) was not very well known in O.T. history; nevertheless, he was quite busy in the service of God. He was one of the leaders of the temple choir, 1 Chron. 15. 17-19; chief minister before the ark, 16. 4-15; a prophet, 2 Chron. 29. 30; and a writer of over a dozen psalms, a poet.

The occasion that initiated this psalm is probably the time when the ark was installed on Zion, when God restated His claim on Israel. At that time, David, in the words of Psalm 105. 1-15, delivered the word of God to Israel, reminding them of their purpose as God’s people witnessing for Him in this world.

Here in Psalm 50, Asaph too is used by God to tell Israel His thoughts concerning them and the nations around. First we have a majestic view of God coming as Judge. He is Judge of all the earth in general, Gen. 18. 25, and of His people in particular. The judgment depicted here clearly foreshadows that future day when God will “judge the world … by that man whom he hath ordained”, Acts 17. 31. The scene of judgment here is Zion, which is “the perfection of beauty”, from where “God hath shined forth”, v. 2 R.V. Verse 3 tells us that the God who had previously been silent, now comes out publicly, being accompanied by fire (itself a type of judgment).

God’s dealings with His people are on the basis of the covenant between them, whereas His dealings with the ungodly are on the basis of their works. His people are His saints, the godly or favoured ones; the recipients of His lovingkindness, who in turn exhibit it to others. This, like all the covenants, is based on sacrifice: Noah, Gen. 9. 9; Abraham, 15. 10-18; Moses, Exod. 24. 8; the new covenant, Matt. 26. 27, 28.

God is now waiting to be called upon in the day of trouble; then “I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me”, v. 15. They will then sacrifice to God, and “whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me”, v. 23 R.V.

For us today the same is true: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name”, Heb. 13. 15. All prayer should contain thanksgiving, as Paul states many times, Phil. 4. 6; Col. 2. 7; 1 Tim. 4. 3.