Psalms 50

8-15. However scrupulous in external worship, it was offered as if they conferred an obligation in giving God His own, and with a degrading view of Him as needing it ( Psalms 50:9-13 ). Reproving them for such foolish and blasphemous notions, He teaches them to offer, or literally, "sacrifice," thanksgiving, and pay, or perform, their vows--that is, to bring, with the external symbolical service, the homage of the heart, and faith, penitence, and love. To this is added an invitation to seek, and a promise to afford, all needed help in trouble.

16-20. the wicked--that is, the formalists, as now exposed, and who lead vicious lives (compare Romans 2:21 Romans 2:23 ). They are unworthy to use even the words of God's law. Their hypocrisy and vice are exposed by illustrations from sins against the seventh, eighth, and ninth commandments.

21, 22. God, no longer (even in appearance) disregarding such, exposes their sins and threatens a terrible punishment.

22. forget God--This denotes unmindfulness of His true character.

23. offereth praise--( Psalms 50:14 ), so that the external worship is a true index of the heart.
ordereth . . . aright--acts in a straight, right manner, opposed to turning aside ( Psalms 25:5 ). In such, pure worship and a pure life evince their true piety, and they will enjoy God's presence and favor.