THE UNIVERSAL JUDGE

There is a solemnity about this psalm. God puts Israel on trial in the presence of all nature, v. 4, as He also does in Isaiah and in Micah 6. 1. He is at once Plaintiff and Judge, Psa. 50. 6, 7. The introduction to the psalm presents the Judge in great splendour, vv. 1-6. He rebukes the formalism of the people. They had not failed in their outward worship—the sacrifices had been daily offered, v. 8, but there had been no true approach to Him with their hearts. They had treated Him as if He, the Creator of all things, needed their offerings, Acts 17. 24, 25, and were supplying His hunger, Psa. 50. 9-13. What He asked of them was the sacrifice of thanksgiving, v. 14; Heb. 13. 15, the payment of their vows (all that they had promised to give Him), and finally, believing prayer, v.15. He rebukes the hypocrisy of His people, vv. 16-21. They declared His statutes, but did not keep them. They said, and did not. The conclusion of the matter is in verses 22, 23.

The solemnity of the occasion is set by the impressive introduction to the psalm. The opening phrase, “the mighty God, even the Lord”, is intended to evoke the solemnity and the awe proper to the psalmist’s theme of a great assize. Here three of the divine Names are grouped together. The only other place where this occurs is in Joshua 22. 22, on the occasion of another solemn inquest. There it is repeated twice by the people on the other side of the Jordan in an earnest appeal to Him who knows all things, and therefore knew their intention to remain faithful to the covenant.

Here, the character of the Judge is being set forth. The use of the three divine Names is intended to enhance the grandeur and solemnity of the scene as setting forth the titles of the Judge and Sovereign. “El” comes from a root meaning “power”, and is often coupled with other words, e.g., El Elyon—the Most High God; El Shaddai—the Almighty God. “Elohim” is the God who is reverenced and worshipped. The word is sometimes used for heathen deities, and sometimes for human judges, Psa. 82. 1, 6. “Jehovah” is God’s personal Name, distinguishing Him from all other beings in heaven and on earth, Isa. 42. 8. It expresses eternal being, underived existence, omnipresence, One who is ever present. Such a God is ours.