Psalm 50 10

Psalm 50:10 kjv

For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.

Psalm 50:10 nkjv

For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50:10 niv

for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50:10 esv

For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50:10 nlt

For all the animals of the forest are mine,
and I own the cattle on a thousand hills.

Psalm 50 verses

Psalm 50 10 Meaning

Psalm 50:10 declares God's absolute and comprehensive ownership over all creation, particularly all animals, both wild and domesticated. This verse serves as the foundation for God's subsequent argument that He does not need anything from humanity, especially animal sacrifices, because everything already belongs to Him. It establishes divine self-sufficiency and infinite sovereignty over the material world.

Psalm 50 10 Context

Psalm 50 is a dramatic divine courtroom scene. God, the Judge, summons His covenant people, Israel, to a solemn trial. The preceding verses (1-6) depict God's majestic appearance, emphasizing His role as cosmic judge. Verses 7-15 focus on God's critique of Israel's ritualistic sacrifices. While they were meticulously performing sacrifices, their hearts were far from God; they misunderstood the very purpose of their offerings. This verse (50:10) is pivotal, stating God's foundational claim: He already owns everything, making any "gift" from humans a return of His own property. It implicitly challenges the common ancient Near Eastern pagan belief that gods needed food and sustenance from humans or that sacrifices were a way to "bribe" or earn favor from divinities. Instead, God reveals Himself as completely self-sufficient and infinitely wealthy. He rebukes the idea that His people's sacrifices somehow add to His wealth or are given to Him because He needs them. The historical context reflects Israel's repeated tendency toward formalism and hypocrisy in their worship, as often decried by the prophets.

Psalm 50 10 Word analysis

• For (כִּי, ki): This particle introduces the reason, explanation, or justification for the preceding statement (Psalm 50:9: "I will not accept a bull from your house or goats from your folds."). It underscores that God’s rejection of their sacrifices is rooted in His inherent nature and absolute ownership.
• every (כָל, kol): "All" or "every." This emphasizes the comprehensive and absolute nature of God's ownership. There are no exceptions or limits.
• beast (חַיְתוֹ, ḥay'tō): This term refers to "wild animals" or "living creatures," particularly those of the field or forest. It signifies the untamed, undomesticated animal kingdom. The singular "beast" with "every" indicates totality of all wild species.
• of the forest (יַעַר, ya'ar): Specifies the natural habitat of these wild animals. Forests in the ancient world were vast and often dense, suggesting an immense, untrackable number of creatures, reinforcing the idea of uncountable bounty belonging to God.
• is mine (לִי, lî): The possessive preposition "to me." This simple, emphatic statement powerfully asserts God's direct and personal ownership. It highlights that the creatures, whether wild or domesticated, are not just "created by" Him but inherently "belong to" Him.
• and the cattle (בְּהֵמוֹת, bəhēmôt): Refers to domesticated animals, often large beasts used for work or sacrifice (e.g., cattle, sheep, goats). The pairing of "wild beasts" and "cattle" covers the entire spectrum of the animal kingdom.
• upon (בְּהַרְרֵי, bəharərê): "Upon the mountains of" or "on the hills of." It indicates their habitat or grazing ground.
• a thousand hills (אָלֶף, ’āleph): ’āleph can mean "a thousand" but also a large, indefinite number, often used as hyperbole for immeasurable quantity. The "thousand hills" evoke vast pastures, symbolizing an innumerable multitude of livestock. It is not about a literal count of hills but the immense wealth and limitless possession of God. This hyperbole signifies infinite abundance and contrasts starkly with any limited offering humans could bring.

Psalm 50 10 Bonus section

The poetic parallelism in Psalm 50:10, where "every beast of the forest" is balanced with "the cattle upon a thousand hills," emphasizes the universality of God's ownership, encompassing both wild and domesticated animals, the untamed and the managed, symbolizing all life forms and resources on earth. This verse, along with Psalm 50:12 ("If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are mine"), constitutes God's refutation of ritualistic misunderstandings. The underlying principle is that divine ownership nullifies any concept of 'giving' to God in a way that suggests fulfilling His need. Rather, true worship involves recognizing His supreme authority and giving from a heart of willing submission and thanksgiving, understanding that any offering is simply returning to Him what He already possesses in abundance. This theological principle highlights the inadequacy of purely external, ceremonial adherence without genuine internal transformation and obedience.

Psalm 50 10 Commentary

Psalm 50:10 delivers a profound theological truth about God's nature and His relationship with His creation and covenant people. God’s declaration, "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills," lays the groundwork for His entire argument against empty ritualism. It counters the ancient Near Eastern notion that deities were dependent on human offerings for sustenance or power. God fundamentally asserts that He lacks nothing; His wealth and resources are limitless and already His by creation and sovereign right. Therefore, when people offer sacrifices, they are not giving God something He needs or doesn't already possess; rather, they are merely returning a small fraction of what is already His. The true value of an offering lies not in its material worth but in the heart, obedience, and understanding behind it. This verse pushes beyond a transactional view of worship, compelling Israel, and by extension all believers, to recognize God’s self-sufficiency and infinite majesty, understanding that worship is primarily an expression of gratitude, devotion, and alignment with His will, not an act of benevolence towards a needy deity.