Psalm 50 puts humanity on trial. In the first section, God, the almighty Judge, calls heaven and earth as witnesses to hear a just verdict. In verses 7-15, God addresses the faithful. Essentially, God says, “You’re doing pretty well, but remember that I want your hearts, rather than just your sacrifices of bulls and goats.” In verses 16-21, the wicked do not fare as well. God sees their hypocrisy–that they know God’s word, but take every opportunity they have for theft, adultery, and deceit. The final two verses are a summary of the chapter.
Instead of getting lost in the specifics of the Psalm (when was the last time any of you offered a bull as your offering?), I wanted to translate the heart of the Psalm for today’s worshiper. My distilled version is something like this: 1. Court is in session, and you’d better listen! 2. Offerings are fine, but God really wants your heart. 3. Don’t be a hypocrite. 4. Offer God a sacrifice of love. All of this is wrapped in the refrain, “Hear the word of the Lord”; it’s a common refrain in the Psalms, but in this case it has legal overtones: “Hear ye, hear ye, the judge will now speak and you need to pay attention!”
Musically, the song has a bit of a Medieval vibe–an SATB hymn, but robust and energetic. The most interesting thing to me is that it is unclear what key the song is in, even to me! The key signature is two flats, and the song starts on a Bb chord, but various phrases center on different key areas: D, Gm, G, and Eb, with a final chord of C. It makes sense to my ear, but I’m not sure how I’d analyze it if I had to!
Hear the word of the Lord.
Come, hear the word of the Lord!
1. The mighty God of all,
has summoned heaven and earth;
has gathered all humanity
into the court of the Lord.
Come, hear the word of the Lord!
2. Do I, the God of all
need lavish sacrifice?
The only offerings I desire
are hearts that beat with love.
Come, hear the word of the Lord!
3. For I can see your hearts,
even when they hide deceit.
You know my law, but live your life
as if I don’t exist.
Come, hear the word of the Lord!
4. Salvation comes to those
who hear and do my word,
who offer pure and thankful hearts–
a sacrifice of love.
Come, hear the word of the Lord!