HIGHLIGHT
Psalm 50:22–23 (ESV): 22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! 23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!”
EXPLAIN
Psalm 50 pictures God as the Mighty One who comes in flaming fire. God is a righteous judge and he gathers his people to testify against them. God is not happy with his people merely offering sacrifices. God wants sacrifices of thanksgiving that come from pure hearts and hands.
Psalm 50 is followed by the famous psalm of King David’s repentance of his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband Uriah. Again, Psalm 51 contends that God is not pleased in mere sacrifices. Rather, God wants sacrifices of a broken and contrite heart.
APPLY
God knows when we are playing at “religion” and he is not happy when our worship is false. God expects us to worship him in sincerity and truth. Our worship must be worship of him. And, our worship must include confession of any sin and a reliance upon his grace.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, may I worship you in sincerity and truth. I come to worship you, and you alone. And I recognize my continuing need of your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.