Ritual or relationship? Psalm 50

We're beginning our study of Psalm 50; Asaph is listed as the writer, and in some translations, the title of the psalm is "God, the Judge of the Righteous and the Wicked."

Psalm 50 is going to seem like a whirlwind of a song; we're going to hear from the song writer and from God Himself. We're going to see some images in our mind's eye as we read. These are not going to "jive" with some of the perceptions of God that we hear and read in our world today.  We've talked before about how people would much rather hear about a loving, compassionate God of second chances. A caring Father. A best Friend. A Comforter.

And He is all of those and more.

But He is also a holy God - we often try to bring Him down to our level, because our human brains have trouble comprehending Him! 

God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
    he does great things beyond our understanding. (Job 37:5, NIV)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)

Let's read the entire psalm and ask the Spirit to bless our reading.

The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets. 

 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. 

 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. 

 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: 

 “Gather to me this consecrated people, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” 

 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice. 

 “Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel: I am God, your God. 

 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. 

 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, 

 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 

 I know every bird in the mountains, and the insects in the fields are mine. 

 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. 

 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 

 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, 

 and call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” 

 But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? 

 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. 

 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. 

 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. 

 You sit and testify against your brother and slander your own mother’s son. 

 When you did these things and I kept silent, you thought I was exactly like you. But I now arraign you and set my accusations before you. 

 “Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: 

 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation.” (Psalm 50, NIV)

This week, we will explore the differences between ritual and relationship; it makes a huge difference in our worship and in our lives!