Psalms 50:12

KJV

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof.

KJV (with Strong's)

If I were hungry {H7456}{H8799)}, I would not tell {H559}{H8799)} thee: for the world {H8398} is mine, and the fulness {H4393} thereof.

Complete Jewish Bible

If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is mine, and everything in it.

Berean Standard Bible

If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.

American Standard Version

If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 50:12 is a profound divine declaration, set within a dramatic courtroom scene, asserting God's absolute sovereignty, inherent self-sufficiency, and comprehensive ownership over all creation. It directly challenges any human misconception that God is dependent on human offerings, particularly animal sacrifices, for His sustenance or well-being. Instead, the verse powerfully underscores that the entire world and everything contained within it belongs exclusively to Him, rendering any notion of Him "needing" anything from humanity utterly absurd. This declaration highlights God's desire for worship rooted in a right heart of gratitude and obedience, rather than mere ritualistic obligation or a transactional exchange.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 50, penned by Asaph, unfolds as a majestic divine courtroom drama. God, the "Mighty One," summons heaven and earth to witness His judgment of Israel, not for neglecting sacrifices, but for misunderstanding their purpose and offering them with unrighteous hearts. The preceding verses [Psalm 50:7-11](/psalms/50-7-11 "Psalm 50:7-11 - God's Critique of Misunderstood Sacrifices") establish God's initial address, where He explicitly states that He does not consume the flesh of bulls or the blood of goats, for all creatures of the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills are already His. Verse 12 then serves as the foundational theological premise for this assertion, logically explaining *why* God has no need for such offerings: He already owns everything. The subsequent verses [Psalm 50:13-15](/psalms/50-13-15 "Psalm 50:13-15 - What God Truly Desires") pivot to what God *truly* desires from His people: thanksgiving, fulfilled vows, and calling upon Him in times of trouble, emphasizing a spiritual, relational worship over superficial ritual.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This psalm was composed during a period when the sacrificial system, as prescribed by the Mosaic Law, was central to Israelite worship. In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, it was common for pagan deities to be depicted as needing food and drink from their worshippers to sustain them, appease their hunger, or gain their favor. Psalm 50 directly confronts and dismantles this pagan worldview, which some Israelites may have inadvertently adopted, applying a transactional or utilitarian understanding to their relationship with Yahweh. Asaph, a prominent Levitical musician and prophet, frequently delivered God's messages through poetic and prophetic means, challenging superficial piety and calling for genuine covenant faithfulness. The declaration of God's universal ownership echoes foundational truths established from the earliest covenants, such as those found throughout [the creation account in Genesis 1](/genesis/1 "Genesis 1 - The Creation Account") and [the covenant at Sinai in Exodus 19](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Covenant at Sinai").
* **Key Themes:** Psalm 50:12 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it emphatically declares **God's Absolute Sovereignty and Ownership**, asserting His complete dominion over all creation, echoing the profound truth found in [Psalm 24:1, "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof"](/psalms/24-1 "Psalm 24:1 - The Earth is the Lord's"). Secondly, it underscores **Divine Self-Sufficiency (Aseity)**, proclaiming that God lacks nothing and is entirely independent of human offerings for His existence or well-being, a truth powerfully reiterated in the New Testament by Paul in [Acts 17:25, "nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything"](/acts/17-25 "Acts 17:25 - God Does Not Need Human Service"). Thirdly, it serves as a sharp **Critique of Ritualism**, rebuking the erroneous notion that sacrifices are a means to "feed" God or earn His favor through material provisions. Instead, it emphasizes that God desires a sincere heart, obedience, and thanksgiving more than mere burnt offerings, as profoundly stated in [1 Samuel 15:22, "To obey is better than sacrifice"](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience Over Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **World (Hebrew, _têbêl'_):** This term, H8398, refers specifically to the inhabited earth, the productive land where humanity dwells. Its use here, rather than a more general term for "earth" (_eretz_), emphasizes God's ownership not just of the raw material of creation, but of the very sphere of human activity, sustenance, and civilization. It comprehensively includes all its resources, creatures, and the very life within it, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's dominion over humanity's domain.
* **Fulness (Hebrew, _mᵉlôʼ'_):** This term, H4393, signifies "that which fills" or "all that is contained within." When paired with "world," it denotes the entirety of its contents – all its resources, wealth, creatures, and inhabitants. This comprehensive scope reinforces God's absolute and exhaustive ownership, leaving no aspect of creation outside His sovereign control. It implies that every atom, every creature, and every resource exists by His will, is sustained by His power, and ultimately exists for His glory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"If I were hungry, I would not tell thee:"** This opening clause is a powerful rhetorical **hypothetical statement** designed to expose the inherent absurdity of the underlying human misconception about God's needs. It posits a condition (God being hungry) that is inherently impossible for the self-existent, all-sufficient, and omnipotent God. The second part of the clause, "I would not tell thee," emphasizes God's absolute independence and autonomy. Even if such an impossible scenario were to occur, God would never be reliant on humanity to meet His needs, nor would He communicate such a need to them. This highlights His complete freedom from dependence on His creation, underscoring His transcendence.
* **"for the world [is] mine, and the fulness thereof."** This second clause provides the irrefutable theological basis and logical explanation for the first. It is a declarative statement of God's absolute, inherent, and comprehensive ownership of everything. The conjunction "for" (כִּי, _ki_) indicates cause or reason, explaining *why* God would never be hungry or need to communicate such a need to humanity. Because He owns the entire inhabited earth and all its contents – its resources, creatures, and inhabitants – He has no lack whatsoever. This declaration serves as a profound theological truth, correcting any anthropomorphic, pagan, or transactional notions of a needy deity.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 50:12 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth and challenge flawed human perceptions. The most prominent is **Anthropomorphism**, where human characteristics (hunger, needing to "tell" someone) are attributed to God. However, this is used ironically and hypothetically ("If I were hungry"), not literally, to highlight the *impossibility* of such a state for God. This rhetorical device serves to underscore God's utter transcendence and self-sufficiency by contrasting it with human limitations and needs. The verse also functions as a pivotal moment within the larger **Divine Oracle** or **Courtroom Metaphor** that frames Psalm 50, where God Himself is the judge, prosecutor, and witness, declaring His nature and expectations directly. The direct, authoritative statement "the world is mine, and the fulness thereof" is a declarative **Assertion of Sovereignty**, leaving no room for doubt about His ultimate authority and comprehensive ownership. The entire verse can also be seen as a form of **Rhetorical Questioning** or **Implied Rebuke**, as it implicitly challenges the flawed understanding of those who might view sacrifices as sustenance for God, thereby calling them to a deeper, more accurate understanding of His nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 50:12 stands as a cornerstone declaration of God's aseity – His self-existence and absolute independence from all creation. It fundamentally dismantles any transactional view of worship, where humanity attempts to "give" something to God that He supposedly lacks or needs. Instead, it reorients the worshipper to understand that all things originate from God and belong to Him, making all human offerings merely a return of what is already His, offered in humble gratitude, joyful obedience, and sincere devotion. This profound truth impacts our understanding of stewardship, humility, and the very nature of true worship, shifting the focus from ritual performance or material provision to heartfelt devotion and a recognition of God's boundless sufficiency and generosity.

* [Deuteronomy 10:14](/deuteronomy/10-14 "Deuteronomy 10:14 - God Owns Heaven and Earth")
* [Job 41:11](/job/41-11 "Job 41:11 - Who Has Given to Me, That I Should Repay Him?")
* [1 Corinthians 10:26](/1_corinthians/10-26 "1 Corinthians 10:26 - The Earth is the Lord's, and the Fulness Thereof")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 50:12 profoundly redefines our understanding of worship and our relationship with God. It liberates us from the burden of thinking we must "provide" for God, earn His favor, or impress Him through our material offerings or religious performances. Instead, it calls us to a worship rooted in humble gratitude and an awe-filled recognition of His boundless generosity and self-sufficiency. Our offerings, whether of time, talent, or treasure, are not contributions to a needy deity but rather expressions of thanksgiving and devotion, acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from His bounteous hand. This perspective fosters a spirit of radical generosity and faithful stewardship, reminding us that we are merely managers of His vast resources, called to use them for His glory and the good of His kingdom, trusting that the God who owns everything will surely provide for all our needs according to His riches in glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the truth of God's absolute ownership (that "the world is mine, and the fulness thereof") challenge any transactional or performance-based views you might hold about your relationship with Him?**
* **If God does not "need" anything from us, what then is the true purpose and motivation behind our worship, service, and giving, and how can we cultivate a heart of genuine gratitude?**
* **In what specific areas of your life (e.g., finances, time, talents, relationships) do you struggle to fully acknowledge God's ownership, and how might embracing this truth lead to greater freedom, peace, and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command sacrifices in the Old Testament if He didn't need them for sustenance?**

Answer: God commanded sacrifices not because He needed them for sustenance or physical provision, but for several crucial theological and pedagogical reasons that served His divine purposes. Firstly, sacrifices provided a divinely ordained means for atonement for sin, serving as a vivid object lesson pointing forward to the ultimate, perfect sacrifice of Christ (e.g., [Leviticus 4](/leviticus/4 "Leviticus 4 - Laws for Sin Offerings")). Secondly, they served as a tangible expression of worship, gratitude, and devotion from His people, allowing them to acknowledge God's sovereignty and provision (e.g., [Leviticus 7:11-18](/leviticus/7-11 "Leviticus 7:11-18 - Peace Offerings")). Thirdly, they were a constant reminder of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the holiness of God, the seriousness of sin, and the need for purity and reconciliation in His presence. Psalm 50:12 corrects the *misunderstanding* of sacrifices that had crept into Israelite worship, clarifying that their true value was in the sincere heart, obedience, and faith of the worshipper, not in literally providing for God's physical needs, which He, as the Creator and Owner of all, inherently does not have.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 50:12, with its profound declaration of God's self-sufficiency and universal ownership, finds its ultimate fulfillment and clearest expression in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As the Son, Christ perfectly embodies the Father's absolute independence and sovereignty. He is not a needy Messiah, but the One through whom "all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him" ([Colossians 1:16](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). The Old Testament sacrificial system, which Psalm 50 critiques when performed with a wrong heart, pointed forward to Christ, who, as the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, not to satisfy a hungry or lacking God, but to atone for humanity's sin and fulfill God's righteous demands ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice")). In Christ, we see that God's desire is not for the blood of bulls and goats, but for a transformed heart and genuine worship "in spirit and truth" ([John 4:24](/john/4-24 "John 4:24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")), a worship made possible by His own provision of salvation. He is the ultimate demonstration that God gives all and needs nothing, for in Him "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - All the Fullness of God in Christ")), making Him the inexhaustible source of life, truth, and 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

Exodus 19:5

Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

1 Corinthians 10:26

For the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

1 Corinthians 10:28

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth [is] the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

Psalms 24:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The earth [is] the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 24:2

For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods.

Deuteronomy 10:14

Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens [is] the LORD'S thy God, the earth [also], with all that therein [is].

Job 41:11

¶ Who hath prevented me, that I should repay [him? whatsoever is] under the whole heaven is mine.