Psalm 50:15

Context

The superscription of Psalm 50 reads "A Psalm of Asaph." The psalm opens with a courtroom scene in which God summons heaven and earth as witnesses and judges His people. Some scholars describe the scene as a "covenant lawsuit," a form in which God brings charges against His people on the basis of the covenant.

In verses 7–15, God does not rebuke the people for offering sacrifices as such. He nevertheless declares that He has no need of their bullocks or he-goats, and instead commands, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High" (v. 14), referring to vows (promises made to God). Verse 15 is the final part of this demand: "And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." It moves in sequence from a command to call upon God in time of trouble, to a promise of deliverance, to the statement that the people will glorify God as a result.

From verse 16 onward, the psalm turns to rebuke "the wicked," who speak of God's statutes but do not keep them. The psalm closes in verse 23 with the words "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me."

Interpretation

• As a statement of the essence of worship: Many commentators read this verse within the overall argument of Psalm 50, namely that true worship consists in thanksgiving and reliance on God rather than in offerings. They also note the sequence of calling, deliverance, and glorifying, which they see as reflecting the Israelite practice of praying in affliction and then, after deliverance, publicly honoring God through thank offerings and the fulfillment of vows.
• Reformed reading: John Calvin is known to have cited this verse in his treatment of prayer as both a command and a promise of God. Question 116 of the Heidelberg Catechism describes prayer as the most important part of the thankfulness God requires, and Psalm 50:14–15 is listed among its proof texts. In this reading, prayer is not optional but an act of obedience.
• Lutheran reading: In his explanation of the Second Commandment in the Large Catechism, Martin Luther cites this verse as an example of the right use of God's name, explaining that calling on God's name in times of need is what the commandment requires.
• Pentecostal and charismatic reading: Churches in the Pentecostal tradition emphasize the promise of an answer that brings deliverance from specific problems. They therefore frequently cite this verse as grounds for earnest prayer amid illness or the difficulties of daily life.

Questions Concerning Application

The verse is not the subject of significant controversy among denominations. Nevertheless, the following questions have been raised:

• Some caution against quoting the verse in isolation as an unconditional promise of rescue. Because the psalm as a whole rebukes the merely formal worship of the covenant people, they argue, the verse should be read together with the rebuke of the wicked in verses 16 and following.
• The emphasis of preaching varies depending on how "I will deliver thee" is understood. It may be read to mean that trouble will be removed immediately, or as a broader salvation that includes God's preservation in the midst of trouble.
• Some sermons focus on the fact that the verse ends with glorifying God. Such preaching stresses that the purpose of prayer does not stop at meeting personal needs but leads to thanksgiving and praise after the answer comes.

In the Korean Church

The verse is said to be frequently cited in sermons encouraging prayer and at prayer gatherings such as the early morning prayer meeting and pledged prayer periods. It is also used as a church motto and as a verse for Scripture memorization. Because the New Korean Revised Version uses nearly the same wording as the earlier Korean Revised Version, the Korean phrase for "call upon me in the day of trouble" is widely familiar to churchgoers.

Related Passages

• Psalm 51:16–17: The sacrifices God desires are a broken spirit
• Micah 6:6–8: God requires justice and mercy rather than offerings
• Psalm 46:1–3: God as a very present help in trouble
• Joel 2:32: The promise that whosoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be delivered
• Hebrews 13:15–16: The sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of our lips