Psalm 50

This psalm begins with three names for God back to back to back. El, Elohim and Yahweh come together to provide an overarching look at God. It reminds me of the Rocky movies where champion Apollo Creed was being introduced with nickname after nickname, inspiring Rocky to say to his trainer, "He's sure got a lot of names, huh?"

Boice quotes Alexander Maclaren who says, "El speaks of God as mighty; Elohim, as the object of religious fear; Jehovah [Yahweh], as the self-existent and covenant God." This gives a better idea of who it is who is summoning all of His people together. The first six verses are written in the style of Moses ascending the mountain to meet with the Lord.

When God speaks out it is to His people -- those who call themselves by His name. The first group (verses 7-15) are the people who are simply going through the motions. Empty ritual is their habit. Their actions are like they are doing God a favor by offering sacrifices to Him. God's words are harsh. He has no need of sacrifice. The ritualism is for them, not for Him. They are to bring God their thankfulness and their honor, as seen in verses 14 and 15.

Beginning at verse 16, we see those who are really not believers at all, but mere hypocrites. They think that they need not obey. Perhaps their thinking is that their offerings or church attendance is enough to earn them a heavenly reward so they can do what they want. In any case, God is not happy with their behavior. He calls them wicked. He recognized that they hate God's instructions. They have no hope. "I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue."

The psalm ends with a charge to honor God with our thank offerings. It's an attitude of the heart reflected in our actions which proves our belief in God.