Psalm 50 (49):16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Can you envision a beautifully crafted lyre, a delicate zither that produces a melodious symphony of diverse sounds? This concept resonates with the teachings of the apostles and other prophets. The Apostle Paul similarly conveys that it is futile to instruct others without first instructing oneself. The Jews, who took pride in their sacrifices and adherence to the law, referring to themselves as educators of others, are shown to benefit little from this if they remain uninformed themselves. Paul forcefully admonishes them, stating, ‘How then, when you teach another, do you not teach yourself? When you preach not to steal, do you steal? When you say, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? When you abhor idols, do you commit sacrilege?

Beloved, observe how earnestly we express these sentiments. We proclaim the Covenant of God with our words, sharing His guidance and divine decrees. What message does God convey to the sinner? Why do you act in that manner? Does He then prevent messengers from reaching the unrepentant? And where can we find this teaching: They profess one thing yet practice another? (Matt. 23:3) Is it valid, at times, to proclaim Christ? (Phil. 1:18) These expressions were uttered so that all who listen, regardless of who is speaking, may approach the truth without fear, ensuring they heed the call to speak righteously while avoiding wrongdoing. Therefore, dear friends, be vigilant: when you receive uplifting messages, recognize they come from God, regardless of the vessel.

And the Lord addressed the sinner, asking, ‘Why do you speak of my righteousness?’ Here, He identifies the one explaining the sacred Scriptures as a sinner. This resonates with the phrase, ‘Praise is not fitting from the lips of a sinner’ (Sir. 15:9). For if one violates all the commandments, is committed to every wrongdoing, and only flatters with their words, what right do they have to utter the divine Scriptures?

Let us consider why He commands the unclean spirits to remain silent. The Scriptures provide us with insight, as the Lord addressed the sinner, asking, ‘Why do you preach my statutes?’ (Psalm 49:16). This serves to ensure that those who hear the preacher will not be led astray by falsehoods. The devil is an inappropriate instructor; he frequently replaces truth with deception, masking falsehoods with a facade of reality.

When individuals criticize others for their misdeeds and remind them of God's commandments, yet themselves fall short of living by those same teachings, it is appropriate for Him to address them. He questions, "Why is it that, while you take pride in my justifications and discuss the law in various ways, you have not truly benefited from it as you ought, and neglect my words?" The prophet vividly outlines the specific transgressions they dared to engage in.

The term "sinner" typically refers to the Jewish scribes who educated their community on the diverse stipulations of the Mosaic Law, yet themselves acknowledged these laws only superficially rather than from the depths of their hearts. In their pride, they regarded themselves as righteous in matters beyond this one, allowing themselves to engage in various forms of wrongdoing. Jesus Christ remarked to the people concerning them: "All things whatsoever they say to you to observe, observe and do; but according to their works do not do them" (Matthew 23:3). He questioned why those who instruct others despise the very teachings and spiritual correction they proclaim, and He prompted them to consider why they have spurned My words, as if repelling someone they detest. They disregarded those teachings, fulfilling them only in appearance but rejecting their true essence in practice.

The Path to Redemption

Let us strive to be among those who place their trust in Him, so that we may obtain the gifts that have been promised. How, beloved, shall we accomplish this? If we set our hearts in faith toward God; if we pursue what is pleasing and acceptable in His sight; if we act in accordance with His divine will and walk in the path of truth, casting away all forms of unrighteousness, iniquity, greed, conflict, malice, deceit, slander, gossip, wickedness, pride, and ostentation—along with vanity and lack of hospitality. Those who engage in such actions are detestable to God, as are those who condone them. The Scriptures declare: But God says to the sinner, ‘Why do you proclaim My statutes and uphold My covenant with your lips?

The bounds of arrogance have certainly been exceeded by those who neglect a courageous faith and instead engage in endless disputes over doctrines. Their arrogance is not constrained by physical barriers that can be breached, but rather by the divine truths expressed in Scripture, which declare, ‘But God says to the sinner, “To the sinner, why will you tell My justification, and receive My covenant with your mouth?”’ Yet, their shamelessness has progressed to such an extent that they not only delve into debates about truths they refute with oaths—something that might have been a lesser transgression—but they also challenge what pertains to the incomprehensible and holy essence.

The prophet, after guiding the righteous, now turns to admonish the deceitful hypocrites, who give the impression of piety. God spoke to the sinner, instructing me to declare to you, O sinner, why do you claim to know my law and commandments, which encompass all truth, when you do not act in accordance with them? Why do you assert that my covenant with Abraham applies to you, while you neither uphold my law nor observe my covenant, nor walk in the ways of Abraham?

This psalm was inspired by the Holy Spirit through David and entrusted to Asaph, the leader of his choir, for performance. In this prophetic declaration, the return of Christ is described as awe-inspiring and overwhelming. A river of fire streams forth from His presence, a vision previously observed by the prophet Daniel, where he noted that His throne is engulfed in flames and His wheels are burning fire (Dan. 7:9-10). Here, the focus is on that remarkable disgrace, where all beings in heaven and on earth are summoned in multitudes to expose both overt and hidden evils.