Psalms 50:11

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

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

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

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

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

Psalm 50:11 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and intimate knowledge over all creation. In this verse, God states, "I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine." This statement reinforces the profound truth that God is the ultimate owner and sustainer of everything, from the smallest bird to the mightiest animal, regardless of how remote or untamed they may seem.

Context

This verse is part of a larger divine address in Psalm 50, where God, depicted as a divine judge, calls His people to account. The surrounding verses (Psalm 50:7-13) reveal God's critique of their misunderstanding of true worship and sacrifice. They were offering animal sacrifices, but without genuine hearts or an understanding of God's nature. God emphasizes that He does not need their offerings for His sustenance, as He already owns "every beast of the forest, and the cattle upon a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). Verse 11 extends this idea, asserting His ownership over all birds and wild animals, highlighting the comprehensive nature of His dominion over all living things.

Key Themes

  • God's Absolute Sovereignty and Ownership: The primary message is God's unparalleled claim over all creation. He doesn't just know them; He owns them. This theme echoes throughout Scripture, affirming God as the Creator of all things and the rightful possessor of the earth and everything in it (Psalm 24:1).
  • Intimate Knowledge and Control: The phrase "I know" signifies more than mere awareness; it implies an intimate, personal knowledge and control over every creature. No animal is hidden from His sight, no detail beyond His understanding. This speaks to God's omnipresence and omniscience, demonstrating His meticulous care for His creation.
  • Critique of Ritualistic Worship: By stating His ownership, God challenges the notion that He benefits from human sacrifices in a material sense. He doesn't need anything from humanity. This implicitly calls for a deeper understanding of worship, one focused on gratitude, obedience, and a humble heart rather than mere external rituals.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "know" (יָדַע - yada') often implies a deep, intimate relationship and experiential knowledge, not just intellectual awareness. When God says "I know all the fowls of the mountains," it conveys His complete and inherent understanding and mastery over every creature, even those in the most remote or inaccessible parts of the world. The specificity of "fowls of the mountains" and "wild beasts of the field" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of God's dominion, covering both domesticated and wild, accessible and hidden creatures.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 50:11 serves as a profound reminder of God's immense power, wisdom, and self-sufficiency. It encourages us to:

  • Rethink Our Giving: We do not give to God because He lacks, but because we love Him and recognize that everything we have is already His. Our offerings are expressions of worship and stewardship, not transactions to gain His favor or provide for His needs.
  • Trust in His Providence: If God knows and owns every creature, He certainly knows and cares for His human children. This verse offers comfort and assurance that our needs are known to Him, and He is capable of providing for them, even as He sustains all life (Matthew 6:26).
  • Cultivate True Worship: The psalm as a whole, highlighted by this verse, calls for a worship that goes beyond outward rituals to involve a genuine heart, obedience, and thanksgiving (Psalm 50:14). Recognizing God's absolute ownership should humble us and inspire awe, leading to worship in spirit and truth.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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?

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