Thoughts for the Day

The mighty one, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.
Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.

Our God comes and does not keep silence,
before him is a devouring fire,
and a mighty tempest all around him.
He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
'Gather to me my faithful ones.'
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!’
The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge.

Hear, O my people, and I will speak,
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt-offerings are continually before me.
I will not accept a bull from your house,
or goats from your folds.
For every wild animal of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
I know all the birds of the air,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

‘If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and all that is in it is mine.
Do I eat the flesh of bulls,
or drink the blood of goats?

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and pay your vows to the Most High.
Call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.’...

Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honour me;
to those who go the right way
I will show the salvation of God.’

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In Psalm 50 God appears to His world having called the heavens, the earth, and especially His people, to judgement. He brings a message that the prophets, and finally Jesus was to bring, that people had forgotten that they were dealing with the living God. We should see this psalm in picture terms - it's as though God comes in procession and His titles are announced before He appears. He is given three titles - two general ones Elohim and El - and the special one given to Israel alone Yahweh. The people of Israel have appealed to God for help against the ungodly, only to find themselves under judgement. Instead of witnesses they have become the defendants in the dock.

God has some straight words for those who believe they are serving Him, who treat Him as a nuisance, and who only turn to Him when it suits them. But when God shows His displeasure His people concentrate on ritual and the finer points of their worship, rather than changing their behaviour. God the great Provider looks to His people to offer Him gratitude and trust, and to keep their promises.

We can learn something important from Psalm 50. It is God who gives to us, and we are called to receive His gifts with delight, offering Him thanks and obedience.

Father-God, and Judge of all,
may we not forget Your existence
until it suits us,
but turn to You in delight
remembering all Your gifts to us,
and offering our thanks and praise
as well as our obedience -
this day and every day
that You gift us life.
Amen.