Psalms 50:11

KJV

I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine.

KJV (with Strong's)

I know {H3045}{H8804)} all the fowls {H5775} of the mountains {H2022}: and the wild beasts {H2123} of the field {H7704} are mine {H5978}.

Complete Jewish Bible

I know all the birds in the mountains; whatever moves in the fields is mine.

Berean Standard Bible

I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine.

American Standard Version

I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 50:11 serves as a powerful divine declaration within a cosmic courtroom scene, asserting God's absolute sovereignty, intimate knowledge, and comprehensive ownership over all creation. In this profound statement, the Almighty Judge proclaims, "I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine." This verse meticulously underscores God's inherent self-sufficiency and non-reliance on human offerings, emphasizing that every living creature, from the most elusive bird in the highest peaks to the mightiest untamed animal in the open plains, exists under His direct and complete dominion. It forms a foundational truth within the psalm's broader critique of ritualistic worship, redirecting focus from human-centric giving to God's intrinsic worth and independence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 50:11 is situated within a dramatic divine oracle, where God, depicted as a majestic judge, summons heaven and earth to witness His indictment of Israel. The preceding verses ([Psalms 50:7-9](/psalms/50-7-9 "God's Indictment of Israel's Misguided Worship")) establish God's primary grievance: His people have misunderstood the nature of true worship, believing that their animal sacrifices are necessary to provide for or enrich Him. God explicitly challenges this anthropomorphic view in [Psalms 50:10](/psalms/50-10 "God's Ownership of All Animals"), declaring, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills." Verse 11 expands this claim of ownership to encompass all wild and untamed creatures, from the "fowls of the mountains" to the "wild beasts of the field," thereby reinforcing the universal and comprehensive nature of His dominion. This declaration highlights the absurdity of offering God what is already His, setting the stage for the subsequent verses ([Psalms 50:12-15](/psalms/50-12-15 "God's Desire for True Worship")) which articulate God's self-sufficiency and His preference for sacrifices of thanksgiving, obedience, and calling upon Him in times of trouble, rather than mere external rituals. The verse thus functions as a theological cornerstone, correcting a transactional understanding of the covenant relationship.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Psalm 50 emerges from a historical and cultural milieu where animal sacrifice was a central and divinely ordained component of Israelite worship, as detailed in the Mosaic Law. However, a recurring problem, frequently addressed by the prophets and wisdom literature, was the tendency to reduce worship to a perfunctory ritual, devoid of genuine heart transformation or a proper understanding of God's character. It was possible for the people to conceive of their sacrifices as literally "feeding" God or obligating Him to respond. The psalm directly confronts this transactional and anthropomorphic perception of the divine, reminding the Israelites of the true nature of their covenant Lord, who is utterly independent of human provision. The imagery of "fowls of the mountains" and "wild beasts of the field" resonates deeply with an ancient agrarian society, symbolizing the vastness and untamed aspects of the natural world. By asserting dominion over even the most inaccessible or wild parts of creation, the verse underscores God's supreme power and control, a concept that would have profoundly impacted a people whose lives were intimately connected to the land and its creatures.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching theological and narrative themes within Psalm 50 and the broader biblical canon. Firstly, it emphatically underscores **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Ownership** over all creation. This echoes the foundational truth articulated in [Genesis 1:1](/genesis/1-1 "Genesis 1:1 - God as Creator of All") that God is the sole Creator, and reiterated in passages like [Psalms 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "The Earth is the Lord's and its Fullness"), which declares, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." Secondly, the divine assertion "I know" signifies **Intimate Knowledge and Control**. This is far more than mere intellectual awareness; it implies a deep, experiential understanding, meticulous oversight, and sovereign mastery over every creature, demonstrating God's omnipresence and omniscience, even over those in remote or wild habitats. This profound knowledge inherently implies His meticulous care and providential governance. Thirdly, the verse subtly but powerfully contributes to the **Critique of Ritualistic Worship**, by asserting God's complete independence. He requires nothing from humanity, especially not material sustenance. This implicitly calls for a deeper, more authentic form of worship rooted in gratitude, obedience, and a humble heart, rather than external acts performed with a transactional or self-serving mindset.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_ - H3045):** This primitive Hebrew root is exceptionally rich, extending far beyond simple intellectual acquaintance. When used of God, _yâdaʻ_ denotes an intimate, experiential, and comprehensive knowledge, implying personal relationship, active involvement, and sovereign mastery. Here, "I know" signifies God's inherent and complete understanding, His meticulous awareness of every detail, and His sovereign control over all creatures, even those in the most inaccessible or wild parts of His creation. It speaks powerfully to His omniscience and omnipresence, affirming that no part of the created order falls outside His comprehensive grasp.
* **Fowls (Hebrew, _ʻôwph_ - H5775):** Derived from a root meaning "to cover with wings" or "to fly," _ʻôwph_ refers collectively to birds or flying creatures. In the context of "fowls of the mountains," it specifically points to avian life inhabiting mountainous, often remote, and untamed regions. This choice of imagery emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's knowledge and ownership, extending even to creatures that are difficult for humans to observe or control, highlighting His dominion over the most distant and wild elements of the natural world.
* **Wild beasts (Hebrew, _zîyz_ - H2123):** This term, from an unused root suggesting "to be conspicuous" or "moving," refers to wild, untamed animals or creatures of the field, distinct from domesticated livestock. Juxtaposed with "fowls of the mountains," _zîyz_ completes the picture of God's universal dominion. It encompasses all terrestrial creatures that roam freely in their natural habitats, underscoring that God's ownership and intimate knowledge extend to every living thing, from the skies to the wilderness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"I know all the fowls of the mountains:"** This opening clause is a direct, first-person divine declaration, asserting God's comprehensive knowledge. The phrase "fowls of the mountains" vividly depicts wild, untamed, and often inaccessible avian life. God's "knowing" them implies not merely an awareness of their existence, but an intimate understanding of their nature, habits, habitats, and even their individual lives. This speaks profoundly to God's meticulous attention to every detail of His creation, regardless of how small or remote, affirming His omnipresent and omniscient gaze.
* **"and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine."** The conjunction "and" seamlessly links this clause, forming a parallel structure that extends the scope of God's dominion. "Wild beasts of the field" refers to the untamed terrestrial animals that roam freely in open lands. The possessive pronoun "mine" is a forceful and unequivocal declaration of absolute ownership and rightful authority. Together, these two clauses form a powerful merism, encompassing the totality of wild creation—from the skies to the land—to underscore God's complete, undeniable, and inherent sovereignty over all living things, irrespective of human claims or control.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 50:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological message with striking clarity and impact. The most prominent device is **Parallelism**, specifically a form of synonymous or complementary parallelism, where the two clauses ("I know all the fowls of the mountains" and "and the wild beasts of the field [are] mine") express a similar overarching idea—God's comprehensive dominion—through distinct yet related imagery. This structural repetition serves to reinforce the central theme of God's absolute sovereignty and ownership. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Merism**, a rhetorical figure where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a complete whole. "Fowls of the mountains" (representing creatures of the sky and high places) and "wild beasts of the field" (representing animals of the earth and open spaces) together encompass the entirety of wild creation, signifying that God's knowledge and ownership extend to absolutely everything within the natural world. The direct, declarative tone of the verse establishes it as a powerful **Divine Assertion** or **Declaration**, emphasizing God's inherent authority, self-sufficiency, and unchallengeable claim over all that exists. While subtle, there is an element of **Anthropomorphism** in God stating "I know," attributing a human-like cognitive process to the divine, yet this serves to communicate His infinite omniscience in a relatable and impactful manner to human hearers.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 50:11 stands as a profound theological statement affirming God's absolute sovereignty, omniscience, and self-sufficiency, directly challenging any human presumption that the Creator can be provided for or obligated by His creation. It fundamentally reorients the understanding of worship from a transactional exchange to a humble and grateful recognition of God's inherent glory and His comprehensive ownership of all things. This verse powerfully underscores that God does not *need* anything from humanity; rather, all creation is utterly dependent on Him for its existence and sustenance. It serves as a crucial corrective to a human-centered view of religious practice, redirecting focus to God's majestic independence and His intrinsic worthiness of praise, not because of any perceived lack on His part, but solely because of who He is—the all-sufficient, all-knowing, and all-owning Lord of the cosmos.

* [Psalms 24:1](/psalms/24-1 "The Earth is the Lord's")
* [Job 41:11](/job/41-11 "Who has given to me, that I should repay him?")
* [Acts 17:25](/acts/17-25 "God is not served by human hands")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 50:11 invites us to a profound re-evaluation of our relationship with God, particularly concerning our giving, our possessions, and our trust. If God intimately knows and owns every creature, from the most elusive bird in the highest peaks to the mightiest wild beast in the open plains, then our offerings to Him are never about supplying His needs, but always an act of worship, gratitude, and humble recognition of His supreme ownership. This liberating truth frees us from a transactional mindset in our faith, where we might mistakenly attempt to "earn" God's favor or "pay Him back" for His blessings. Instead, it calls us to adopt a posture of faithful stewardship, acknowledging that everything we possess—our time, talents, and material resources—is already His. Furthermore, the verse offers immense comfort and assurance: if God meticulously knows and sustains the wild creatures in their natural habitats, how infinitely more does He know, care for, and provide for His human children, who are made in His image and redeemed by His grace? This truth should cultivate deep trust in His providential care, especially in times of need, anxiety, or uncertainty, knowing that our lives are held securely within the omniscient and omnipotent grasp of the One who owns and knows all.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does recognizing God's absolute ownership of all creation, as declared in [Psalms 50:11](/psalms/50-11 "God's Ownership of All Creation"), fundamentally change your perspective on your own possessions and resources?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to approach your relationship with God transactionally, and how can this verse help you cultivate a more genuine, grateful, and worshipful posture rooted in His self-sufficiency?**
* **Considering God's intimate knowledge and meticulous care for "fowls of the mountains" and "wild beasts of the field," what specific anxieties, needs, or areas of uncertainty in your life can you confidently entrust to His providential care today?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean God doesn't need our sacrifices or offerings?**

Answer: Yes, precisely. Psalms 50:11, especially when read in conjunction with the surrounding verses like [Psalms 50:10](/psalms/50-10 "God's Ownership of All Animals") and [Psalms 50:12](/psalms/50-12 "God's Self-Sufficiency"), makes it abundantly clear that God does not *need* anything from humanity. He is not dependent on our material offerings for His sustenance, enrichment, or well-being. The core critique in Psalm 50 is against the misunderstanding that sacrifices are given to fulfill a divine need or to obligate God. Instead, God desires offerings of thanksgiving, obedience, and a humble heart that calls upon Him in trouble ([Psalms 50:14-15](/psalms/50-14-15 "Offer Thanksgiving and Call on God")). Our giving, therefore, is an act of worship, gratitude, and recognition of His supreme ownership, not a transaction to provide for Him.

**What does "I know" imply about God's relationship with creation?**

Answer: The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע, _yâdaʻ_) is far deeper than mere intellectual awareness. When God says "I know all the fowls of the mountains," it signifies an intimate, comprehensive, and experiential knowledge. It implies His meticulous awareness of every detail of creation, His providential care for it, and His sovereign control over every aspect of its existence. This is not a distant, abstract knowledge, but one that speaks to His active involvement and mastery over all living things, even those in the most remote or untamed parts of the world. It underscores His omnipresence and omniscience, demonstrating that no creature or detail of its existence is hidden from Him; rather, all are sustained and governed by His perfect understanding and power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 50:11, with its powerful declaration of God's absolute knowledge and comprehensive ownership over all creation, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the eternal Son, Jesus is not merely an agent of God's dominion but is Himself the very embodiment of that divine authority and intimate knowledge. The New Testament reveals that "all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist" ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Christ, Creator and Sustainer of All Things")). The One who knows "all the fowls of the mountains" and owns "the wild beasts of the field" is the same Jesus who, in His earthly ministry, demonstrated this very dominion by calming the raging storm with a mere word ([Mark 4:39](/mark/4-39 "Jesus Calms the Storm")) and by teaching His disciples not to worry about their lives, reminding them that their Heavenly Father meticulously feeds the birds of the air and clothes the lilies of the field, and they are of far greater value ([Matthew 6:26-30](/matthew/6-26-30 "God's Providential Care for Creation and Humanity")). Jesus, as the "heir of all things" ([Hebrews 1:2](/hebrews/1-2 "Christ, Heir of All Things")), perfectly demonstrates the Father's sovereign ownership and intimate care. His incarnation signifies that the God who knows every creature has personally entered His creation, identifying with it and ultimately redeeming it through His sacrifice, ensuring that His dominion extends not just over the wild beasts but over the hearts of humanity, drawing them into true worship that acknowledges His supreme worth, self-sufficiency, and saving grace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Genesis 1:20

¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

Genesis 1:22

And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.

Matthew 6:26

Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

Luke 12:24

Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?

Psalms 104:12

By them shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, [which] sing among the branches.

Psalms 147:9

He giveth to the beast his food, [and] to the young ravens which cry.

Job 39:13

¶ [Gavest thou] the goodly wings unto the peacocks? or wings and feathers unto the ostrich?