Psalms 50:23

KJV

Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright] will I shew the salvation of God.

KJV (with Strong's)

Whoso offereth {H2076}{H8802)} praise {H8426} glorifieth {H3513}{H8762)} me: and to him that ordereth {H7760}{H8804)} his conversation {H1870} aright will I shew {H7200}{H8686)} the salvation {H3468} of God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Whoever offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; and to him who goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."

Berean Standard Bible

He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rights his way, I will show the salvation of God.”

American Standard Version

Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 50:23 encapsulates the core message of the entire psalm, asserting that true worship of God is not found in mere external rituals or animal sacrifices, but in a heartfelt offering of praise and a life lived in integrity and obedience. For those who honor God with both their lips and their conduct, the divine promise is a profound revelation and experience of God's comprehensive salvation, encompassing His deliverance, blessing, and presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 50 is a dramatic prophetic oracle, presented as a divine court scene where God, the ultimate Judge, convenes heaven and earth to address His covenant people, Israel. The psalm critiques the superficiality of their worship, particularly their reliance on ritualistic sacrifices without genuine heart devotion. Earlier verses establish God's self-sufficiency, declaring He does not "need" their animal offerings but rather desires a "sacrifice of thanksgiving" and the fulfillment of vows ([Psalms 50:9-14](/psalms/50-9 "Psalm 50:9-14 - God's True Desire for Worship")). The psalm then sharply rebukes the wicked who outwardly profess faith but inwardly practice deceit and injustice ([Psalms 50:16-22](/psalms/50-16 "Psalm 50:16-22 - God's Rebuke of the Wicked")). Verse 23 serves as the concluding summary and a clear pathway to genuine relationship with God, contrasting the empty rituals with the integrated worship of praise and righteous living.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The psalm is set within the context of ancient Israelite worship, which prominently featured the sacrificial system established under the Mosaic Covenant. The Temple in Jerusalem was the center of religious life, where various offerings (burnt offerings, peace offerings, sin offerings) were prescribed. However, a recurring theme in the prophetic literature is the tension between outward observance of these rituals and the inward state of the worshiper's heart. Prophets like Samuel ([1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")), Isaiah ([Isaiah 1:11-17](/isaiah/1-11 "Isaiah 1:11-17 - God's Rejection of Empty Rituals")), and Amos ([Amos 5:21-24](/amos/5-21 "Amos 5:21-24 - God Desires Justice, Not Just Rituals")) consistently challenged the notion that mere ritual could appease God without accompanying justice, righteousness, and sincere devotion. Psalm 50:23 stands firmly in this prophetic tradition, emphasizing that God values a transformed life and a grateful heart above all else.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within Psalm 50 and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the **nature of true worship**, moving beyond external forms to internal sincerity and ethical conduct. It highlights that genuine praise is an act of glorifying God, acknowledging His supremacy and worth. Secondly, it emphasizes the **inseparability of worship and ethics**, asserting that a life of integrity ("ordereth his conversation aright") is a prerequisite for experiencing God's favor. This aligns with the wisdom tradition that links righteous living to divine blessing ([Proverbs 2:20-22](/proverbs/2-20 "Proverbs 2:20-22 - The Path of the Righteous")). Thirdly, the verse speaks to **divine salvation and revelation**, promising that God will "shew the salvation of God" to those who truly honor Him. This "salvation" (Hebrew: *yesha*) is comprehensive, encompassing deliverance, well-being, and a deeper understanding of God's saving power, contrasting with the limited, temporal benefits of mere ritual.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Praise (Hebrew, _todah'_):** While commonly translated as "praise," *todah* carries a richer nuance, often referring to "thanksgiving," "confession," or even a "thank offering." It implies a deep, grateful acknowledgment of God's goodness, His mighty acts, and His character. It's not merely vocal utterance but an expression stemming from a heart of gratitude and recognition of divine favor.
* **Glorifieth me (Hebrew, _kabed'_):** The root verb *kabed* means "to be heavy," "to be weighty," or "to be honored." In this context, to "glorify" God means to attribute weight, importance, and honor to Him. It involves recognizing His immense majesty, authority, and worth, thereby exalting His name and character in the eyes of others and in one's own heart.
* **Ordereth his conversation aright (Hebrew, _derek tam'_):** The KJV phrase "ordereth his conversation aright" translates the Hebrew *derek tam*. *Derek* means "way" or "path," referring to one's conduct, manner of life, or course of action. *Tam* means "complete," "perfect," "blameless," or "upright." Thus, the phrase signifies living a life of integrity, walking a straight and blameless path, and conducting oneself in a manner consistent with God's moral and ethical standards. It speaks to intentional, disciplined, and righteous living.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me:"** This initial clause establishes the direct link between genuine praise and the glorification of God. It highlights that the act of offering praise—which, as discussed, is more than just words, but heartfelt thanksgiving and acknowledgment—is the means by which humanity gives God the honor and weight He deserves. It is an act of worship that truly magnifies His name.
* **"and to him that ordereth [his] conversation [aright]:"** This second clause introduces the crucial condition for experiencing God's full favor. It shifts from the internal disposition of praise to the external manifestation of one's life. The emphasis is on a life lived with integrity, where one's conduct, behavior, and moral choices are aligned with God's will. This demonstrates that true worship is holistic, encompassing both spoken adoration and lived obedience.
* **"will I shew the salvation of God."** This final clause presents God's divine promise and response. For those who offer sincere praise and live righteously, God pledges to reveal or make manifest His "salvation." This "salvation" (Hebrew: *yesha*) is comprehensive, extending beyond mere deliverance from danger to include spiritual well-being, divine help, comprehensive flourishing, and a deeper, experiential understanding of God's saving power and presence in their lives. It signifies God's blessing and favor upon those who truly honor Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Parallelism** is evident, specifically a form of constructive or synthetic parallelism, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. While not strictly synonymous, the two conditions ("offereth praise" and "ordereth his conversation aright") are presented as complementary aspects of true devotion, both leading to the divine promise. The phrase "ordereth his conversation aright" uses **Metaphor**, portraying life as a "way" or "path" that can be made "straight" or "blameless," implying intentional moral alignment. The entire psalm, including this verse, functions as a **Divine Oracle**, with God Himself speaking, lending immense authority and weight to the pronouncement. The use of the first-person "Me" and "I" underscores God's direct address and personal engagement with His people regarding their worship and conduct.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 50:23 profoundly articulates a foundational biblical truth: God desires a holistic worship that integrates heartfelt praise with righteous living. This verse moves beyond the Old Testament sacrificial system's potential for ritualism, emphasizing that external acts are meaningless without internal devotion and ethical conduct. It highlights that true glorification of God is not merely an emotional experience but a comprehensive lifestyle that reflects His character and commands. This integrated approach to faith—where devotion to God is inseparable from one's daily walk—is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, challenging believers to live out their faith authentically in every sphere of life.

* [Hebrews 13:15](/hebrews/13-15 "Hebrews 13:15 - The Sacrifice of Praise")
* [Micah 6:8](/micah/6-8 "Micah 6:8 - What the Lord Requires")
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 50:23 provides a timeless blueprint for authentic faith and a vibrant relationship with God. It challenges us to examine the nature of our worship: Is it merely external ritual, or does it flow from a heart of genuine gratitude and manifest in a life of integrity? The verse reminds us that our praise is most potent when it is accompanied by a consistent, righteous walk. God is not impressed by empty words or perfunctory religious acts; He seeks a people who honor Him with both their lips and their lives. Embracing this truth leads to a deeper, more profound experience of God's comprehensive salvation, not just as a future hope but as a present reality of His deliverance, blessing, and transforming presence. It calls us to live intentionally, allowing our faith to shape every decision and interaction, thereby becoming a living testament to His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what practical ways can I ensure my praise to God is truly "offered" from the heart and glorifies Him, rather than being mere words?**
* **How does my daily "conversation" or conduct reflect my commitment to "order" my life "aright" according to God's standards?**
* **What does "the salvation of God" mean to me personally, and how can I more fully experience its comprehensive reality in my life today?**

### FAQ
**What does "ordereth his conversation aright" mean for us today?**

Answer: In modern English, "conversation" refers to talking, but in the King James Version, it means one's conduct, behavior, or way of life. So, "ordereth his conversation aright" means to live a life of integrity, to align one's actions, choices, and entire lifestyle with God's revealed will and moral standards. It implies a disciplined and intentional effort to walk in righteousness, reflecting God's character in daily interactions and decisions. This concept is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are called to "walk worthy of the calling" they have received ([Ephesians 4:1](/ephesians/4-1 "Ephesians 4:1 - Walk Worthy of Your Calling")) and to "walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him" ([Colossians 1:10](/colossians/1-10 "Colossians 1:10 - Walking Worthy of the Lord")).

**Is "salvation of God" only about eternal life?**

Answer: While "salvation of God" certainly encompasses eternal life and deliverance from sin's ultimate penalty, in the Old Testament context, the Hebrew word *yesha* (salvation) is broader. It refers to a comprehensive deliverance, well-being, prosperity, and divine help in various aspects of life—spiritual, physical, and relational. It signifies God's intervention to rescue, preserve, and bless His people. So, while it includes the ultimate spiritual redemption, it also speaks to God's ongoing work of deliverance and flourishing in the present, revealing His saving power in tangible ways.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 50:23 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the one who perfectly "offered praise" to God, not merely in words, but in His entire life of perfect obedience and self-giving love, culminating in His sacrificial death on the cross. His life was the epitome of "ordering His conversation aright," walking a blameless and righteous path in absolute conformity to the Father's will, even to the point of death ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Humility and Obedience")). Indeed, Jesus Himself *is* the "salvation of God" made manifest. Through His atoning work, God "showed" His ultimate salvation to humanity, delivering us from sin and death and granting us eternal life and reconciliation with Him ([John 3:16](/john/3-16 "God's Love and Salvation")). In Christ, the demands of praise and righteous living are perfectly met, and the promise of salvation is fully realized, not by our imperfect efforts, but by His perfect obedience and grace, which is now freely offered to all who believe ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")).

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

Psalms 91:16

With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Psalms 86:12

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

James 3:13

¶ Who [is] a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

Psalms 24:4

He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

Psalms 24:5

He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Romans 12:1

¶ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

Psalms 25:14

The secret of the LORD [is] with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.