Psalms 50:22

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 50:22 issues a profound and urgent warning from God to those who have forgotten or deliberately neglected Him. It serves as a climactic declaration within a psalm that critiques superficial worship, emphasizing that a failure to genuinely acknowledge and obey God will result in His swift, severe, and inescapable judgment, where no human or divine power can intervene to deliver from His wrath.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 50 is a prophetic psalm by Asaph, structured as a divine courtroom scene where God, the ultimate Judge, summons heaven and earth to witness His indictment of His people. The psalm begins with a majestic depiction of God's arrival ([Psalms 50:1-6](/psalms/50-1 "Psalm 50:1-6 - God the Judge Appears")), followed by His clarification that He does not need their sacrifices but desires true thanksgiving and obedience ([Psalms 50:7-15](/psalms/50-7 "Psalm 50:7-15 - God's Desire for True Worship")). The latter half of the psalm, leading up to verse 22, focuses on God's severe rebuke of the wicked who outwardly perform religious rituals but inwardly practice deceit, theft, adultery, and slander ([Psalms 50:16-21](/psalms/50-16 "Psalm 50:16-21 - God's Rebuke of the Wicked")). Verse 22, therefore, functions as a stark and final warning, a summary judgment against those who persist in spiritual amnesia and hypocrisy, setting the stage for the concluding promise to the obedient in [Psalms 50:23](/psalms/50-23 "Psalm 50:23 - The Path to Salvation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed by Asaph, a prominent choirmaster and prophet during the time of David and Solomon, Psalm 50 reflects the prophetic tradition of calling Israel back to covenant faithfulness. It addresses a prevalent issue in ancient Israel: the tendency to rely on outward religious observances (like sacrifices) as a substitute for genuine inward devotion and obedience to God's law. This was a common critique from prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah, who consistently highlighted the emptiness of ritual without righteousness. The imagery of God "tearing in pieces" would have resonated deeply with an agricultural society familiar with predatory animals and the devastating consequences of their attacks, emphasizing the complete and unavoidable nature of divine judgment when God's patience is exhausted. The "courtroom" setting evokes the ancient Near Eastern legal traditions and God's role as the supreme arbiter of justice for His covenant people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Psalm 50 and the broader biblical narrative. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Accountability**, asserting God's absolute authority to hold His people responsible for their actions, particularly their spiritual neglect. The phrase "ye that forget God" highlights the theme of **Spiritual Amnesia and Hypocrisy**, where a superficial adherence to religious forms masks a deeper disregard for God's character and commands, a theme echoed in [Isaiah 29:13](/isaiah/29-13 "Isaiah 29:13 - Lip Service vs. Heart Worship"). Furthermore, the declaration "none to deliver" profoundly reinforces God's **Sovereignty and Unchallengeable Power**, emphasizing that when God executes His judgment, no one can thwart His will or provide escape, a truth consistently affirmed throughout Scripture, as seen in [Deuteronomy 32:39](/deuteronomy/32-39 "Deuteronomy 32:39 - God's Unrivaled Power"). Finally, the opening imperative "Now consider this" serves as a direct **Call to Reflection and Repentance**, indicating that judgment is not inevitable if one turns from their ways, aligning with the prophetic plea found in [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Consider (Hebrew, _bîn_):** This imperative verb (בִּין) means "to discern," "to perceive," "to understand," or "to give careful attention to." It is not a casual suggestion but a forceful command for deep, thoughtful reflection. It urges the audience to grasp the full implications of God's warning and their own spiritual state, implying a need for intellectual and spiritual engagement with the truth being presented.
* **Forget (Hebrew, _shakhach_):** The verb (שָׁכַח) is more than a simple lapse of memory. In a biblical context, "forgetting God" implies a deliberate neglect, a turning away from, or a ceasing to care for Him and His commands. It describes a lifestyle where God is ignored, His laws are disregarded, and His presence is not acknowledged in practical living, leading to a breakdown of the covenant relationship.
* **Tear [you] in pieces (Hebrew, _ṭārap̄_):** This graphic verb (טָרַף) describes the action of a predatory animal violently tearing its prey apart. It conveys a sense of brutal, irreversible, and complete destruction, emphasizing the severity, finality, and utterly devastating nature of God's judgment, leaving no hope for survival or recovery.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now consider this":** This opening imperative serves as a direct, urgent, and solemn call to attention. It demands that the audience pause, reflect deeply, and intellectually grasp the gravity of the message that follows. It implies that there is still an opportunity to understand and respond before the consequences are unleashed.
* **"ye that forget God":** This phrase identifies the specific recipients of the warning. It refers not to those who merely have a momentary lapse of memory, but to those whose lives demonstrate a fundamental disregard for God's presence, authority, and covenant commands. It speaks of spiritual apathy, willful disobedience, and a practical atheism that lives as if God does not exist or does not matter.
* **"lest I tear [you] in pieces":** This is a vivid and terrifying metaphor for divine judgment. The imagery of a predator violently dismembering its prey conveys the complete and destructive nature of God's wrath. It signifies utter ruin, annihilation, and a loss of all integrity and existence, underscoring the severity of the consequences for spiritual forgetfulness.
* **"and [there be] none to deliver":** This concluding clause emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and the finality of His judgment. It declares that when God executes His wrath, no one—no human power, no other deity, no intervention—will be able to rescue, protect, or provide escape for those who are under His condemnation. It highlights the inescapable and irresistible nature of divine justice.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 50:22 employs several powerful **Literary Devices** to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "lest I tear [you] in pieces." This vivid imagery, drawn from the natural world of predatory animals, serves as a stark and terrifying representation of God's destructive judgment, emphasizing its violence, completeness, and irreversibility. The opening phrase, "Now consider this," functions as a direct **Imperative**, a forceful command that demands immediate and serious attention from the audience, highlighting the urgency of the warning. The implied consequence of "none to deliver" uses a form of **Hyperbole** to underscore the absolute and inescapable nature of God's power in judgment, suggesting an unparalleled finality. Furthermore, the psalm as a whole, and this verse within it, utilizes **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human-like actions and emotions (like tearing) to God, making His divine judgment more comprehensible and impactful to the human audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 50:22 stands as a potent reminder of God's unwavering justice and the critical importance of genuine, heart-felt relationship over mere ritualistic observance. It articulates a fundamental biblical truth: God is not mocked, and a life lived in deliberate disregard or "forgetfulness" of Him will inevitably face severe consequences. This verse underscores the covenantal nature of God's relationship with His people, where blessings are contingent upon obedience and remembrance, and judgment follows persistent rebellion. It challenges the notion that God is indifferent to sin or that outward piety can compensate for inward spiritual apathy. The warning serves as a call to recognize God's absolute sovereignty and the terrifying reality of being utterly exposed and defenseless before His wrath when one has chosen to ignore His commands and His very being.

* [Deuteronomy 8:19-20](/deuteronomy/8-19 "Deuteronomy 8:19-20 - Warning Against Forgetting God")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People Are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")
* [Hebrews 10:31](/hebrews/10-31 "Hebrews 10:31 - A Terrifying Thing to Fall into the Hands of the Living God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 50:22 confronts us with a stark and uncomfortable truth: our relationship with God is not passive, and His patience is not infinite. The command "Now consider this" is a timeless invitation to profound self-examination. Do we truly "remember" God in our daily lives, or have we, perhaps subtly, allowed the concerns, distractions, and idols of this world to push Him to the periphery of our consciousness? "Forgetting God" is not merely an intellectual oversight; it is a practical detachment that manifests in disobedience, spiritual apathy, and a reliance on self rather than on the Creator. This verse urges us to move beyond superficial religiosity, challenging us to cultivate a heart that genuinely acknowledges, reveres, and obeys God in every sphere of life. The terrifying consequence—"lest I tear [you] in pieces, and [there be] none to deliver"—serves as a powerful incentive to repent, to turn from spiritual negligence, and to actively pursue a vibrant, living relationship with the One who holds our very existence in His hands. It is a sobering reminder that our ultimate security lies not in our own strength or the help of others, but solely in God's mercy, which must be sought while it is still available.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways might I be "forgetting God" in my daily life, beyond mere intellectual knowledge?**
* **What specific areas of my life need to be brought into deeper alignment with God's commands and presence?**
* **How does the imagery of God "tearing in pieces" challenge my understanding of His character and justice?**
* **What steps can I take today to cultivate a more active and genuine "remembrance" of God?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean to "forget God" in this context? Is it just a memory lapse?**

Answer: To "forget God" in Psalm 50:22 is far more profound than a simple memory lapse. The Hebrew word _shakhach_ (שָׁכַח) implies a deliberate neglect, a turning away from, or a ceasing to care for God and His covenant. It describes a lifestyle where God is practically ignored, His laws are disregarded, and His presence is not acknowledged in one's daily decisions and priorities. It's a spiritual amnesia that leads to disobedience and a lack of reverence, often masked by outward religious observance. This "forgetting" is an active choice to live as if God does not exist, or as if He is irrelevant to one's life, rather than a passive oversight.

**Is the imagery of God "tearing [you] in pieces" literal?**

Answer: The imagery of God "tearing [you] in pieces" is a powerful **metaphor** for divine judgment, not a literal description of how God executes punishment. It draws on the terrifying action of a predatory animal to convey the complete, violent, and utterly destructive nature of God's wrath against persistent spiritual neglect. This graphic language emphasizes the severity and finality of the judgment, signifying utter ruin and the complete inability to escape or recover once God's judgment is unleashed. It underscores that there will be "none to deliver" from His ultimate authority.

**How does this verse relate to God's love and mercy?**

Answer: While Psalm 50:22 emphasizes God's justice and the severity of His judgment, it must be understood within the broader biblical narrative of God's character. The warning itself, "Now consider this," is an act of mercy, a divine plea for repentance before judgment falls. God's desire is not to destroy but to save, as seen throughout Scripture (e.g., [Ezekiel 33:11](/ezekiel/33-11 "Ezekiel 33:11 - God's Desire for Repentance")). This verse highlights the consequences of rejecting His love and mercy, which are always extended. It serves as a stark reminder that while God is rich in mercy, He is also perfectly just, and persistent rebellion against Him will ultimately incur His righteous wrath. The warning is designed to drive people to repentance and to embrace the path of true worship and obedience, which is the only way to experience His deliverance and grace.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 50:22, with its stark warning to those who "forget God" and its terrifying image of inescapable judgment, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in Jesus Christ. Humanity, in its fallen state, universally "forgets God" through sin, turning away from His commands and living in practical rebellion against His sovereignty. The consequence of this spiritual amnesia is indeed a righteous judgment where "none to deliver" can be found. However, the good news of the Gospel is that God Himself provided the Deliverer in Jesus Christ. The Son of God, the perfect Lamb, willingly bore the tearing wrath of God on the cross, becoming sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). For those who believe in Him, the terrifying judgment described in Psalm 50:22 is averted, for there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus")). Christ is the ultimate deliverer, the one who rescues us from the power of darkness and transfers us into His kingdom ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). Therefore, while the verse serves as a solemn warning to all, it also powerfully points to the desperate need for a Savior, a need perfectly met in the person and work of Jesus, who offers salvation and eternal deliverance to all who will "consider" Him and truly remember God through faith in His Son ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "John 3:16 - God's Love and Salvation")).

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

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.