Psalms 50:22

Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver.

Now consider {H995}{H8798)} this, ye that forget {H7911}{H8802)} God {H433}, lest I tear you in pieces {H2963}{H8799)}, and there be none to deliver {H5337}{H8688)}.

Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to save you.

Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver:

Context

Psalm 50 is a powerful prophetic psalm by Asaph, depicting God's solemn judgment and His clear expectations for His people. The psalm opens with God summoning heaven and earth to witness His pronouncement, not about their lack of sacrifices, but about their hypocrisy and superficial worship. Throughout the psalm, God critiques those who perform religious rituals without genuine devotion or obedience to His commands. He rebukes those who claim to know Him but engage in wickedness (Psalm 50:16-21). Verse 22, the concluding warning, is addressed to "ye that forget God," serving as a stark culmination of the divine indictment, emphasizing the severe consequences for those who disregard His presence and commands.

Key Themes

  • Divine Warning and Judgment: This verse delivers a direct and severe warning from God Himself. It underscores the reality of divine judgment for those who actively disregard or "forget" Him, highlighting His ultimate authority and power over all creation.
  • Consequences of Spiritual Amnesia: The phrase "ye that forget God" points to more than mere forgetfulness; it signifies a deliberate neglect or active disregard for God's rightful place in one's life. The consequence—"lest I tear [you] in pieces"—is a vivid, terrifying image of utter destruction and ruin, with no possibility of escape.
  • God's Unchallengeable Power: The declaration "and [there be] none to deliver" emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty. When God executes judgment, no one can intervene, rescue, or stand against His will. This reinforces His supreme power, a theme often found in prophetic warnings (see Isaiah 43:13).
  • Call to Reflection and Repentance: The opening imperative, "Now consider this," is a direct call to introspection and serious consideration. It implies that there is still an opportunity to reflect, understand, and change one's ways before the inevitable judgment falls. It urges a shift from spiritual apathy to genuine remembrance and obedience.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Consider this" (Hebrew: bîn - בִּין): This imperative verb means to "discern," "perceive," "understand," or "give careful attention." It's not a casual suggestion but a command for deep, thoughtful reflection on the implications of one's actions and God's warning.
  • "Forget God" (Hebrew: shakhach - שָׁכַח): This word implies more than a simple lapse of memory. It often denotes a deliberate neglect, a turning away from, or a ceasing to care for. It describes a lifestyle where God is ignored, His laws are disregarded, and His presence is not acknowledged.
  • "Tear [you] in pieces" (Hebrew: ṭārap̄ - טָרַף): This verb graphically describes the act of a predatory animal tearing its prey apart. It conveys a sense of violent, irreversible, and complete destruction, emphasizing the severity and finality of God's judgment.

Practical Application

Psalm 50:22 serves as a timeless and urgent reminder for all people. It challenges us to honestly examine our relationship with God: Do we truly remember Him in our daily lives, or have we allowed spiritual apathy and worldly concerns to push Him to the periphery? This verse underscores that mere outward religiosity or ritual is insufficient; God desires a heart that genuinely remembers Him, fears Him, and lives in obedience to His commands (Psalm 50:23). It calls for a profound shift from spiritual forgetfulness to active remembrance and devotion.

The warning about being "torn in pieces" with "none to deliver" highlights the seriousness of neglecting God. It urges us to consider the eternal consequences of a life lived apart from Him and reinforces the importance of repentance and turning back to Him while there is still time. This verse echoes the broader biblical call to repentance and genuine faith, emphasizing that God's patience has limits and that His judgment is certain for those who persist in their disregard.

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.

  • Job 8:13

    So [are] the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

  • Psalms 9:17

    The wicked shall be turned into hell, [and] all the nations that forget God.

  • Hosea 4:6

    ¶ My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.

  • Psalms 7:2

    Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending [it] in pieces, while [there is] none to deliver.

  • Jeremiah 2:32

    Can a maid forget her ornaments, [or] a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.

  • Hosea 13:8

    I will meet them as a bear [that is] bereaved [of her whelps], and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.

  • Deuteronomy 32:18

    Of the Rock [that] begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

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