Psalm 50 23

Psalm 50:23 kjv

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

Psalm 50:23 nkjv

Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God."

Psalm 50:23 niv

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless I will show my salvation."

Psalm 50:23 esv

The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God!"

Psalm 50:23 nlt

But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me.
If you keep to my path,
I will reveal to you the salvation of God."

Psalm 50 verses

Psalm 50 23 Meaning

Psalm 50:23 reveals that true worship and honor to God come not merely from ritualistic offerings, but from a heart of genuine thanksgiving and a life committed to righteous living. To offer thanks as a sacrifice is to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and goodness wholeheartedly, and to "order one's way aright" means living consistently in obedience to His commands. In response to such worship and lifestyle, God promises to reveal His saving power and deliverance to His people.

Psalm 50 23 Context

Psalm 50 is a powerful divine pronouncement, presented as a "divine lawsuit" or covenant lawsuit where God, as Judge, summons heaven and earth to witness His address to Israel. The chapter critiques a misunderstanding of worship prevalent in Israel during that time. The people meticulously offered animal sacrifices as commanded by the Mosaic Law, but often lacked sincere hearts and moral integrity. God states that He does not need their sacrifices (vv. 9-13) because the whole world and its creatures are His. Instead, He desires inward righteousness and genuine covenant faithfulness. Verses 14-15 call for sacrifices of thanksgiving and the fulfillment of vows. The latter part of the psalm addresses the wicked (vv. 16-21) who proclaim God's statutes while practicing deceit and immorality. Psalm 50:23 serves as a concluding summary, providing a profound statement contrasting formalistic religion with true worship that integrates praise and righteous conduct, promising divine salvation to those who live accordingly. This message served as a direct polemic against the notion that external ritual alone could appease God or guarantee His blessing.

Psalm 50 23 Word analysis

• Whoever (זֹבֵחַ - zôbêaḥ): This is a participle meaning "the one sacrificing" or "he who slays." It emphasizes an ongoing act or characteristic of a person. It points to a particular type of individual.
• offers thanks (תּוֹדָה - tôdâ): This word refers to "thanksgiving," "confession," or "praise." It is derived from the verb yadah, meaning "to praise," "to give thanks," or "to acknowledge." In the context of ancient Israel, a todah was a specific type of peace offering, a voluntary sacrifice often made in gratitude for deliverance or to fulfill a vow, usually accompanied by verbal praise and communal feasting. Here, the emphasis shifts from the animal offering itself to the act of thanksgiving as the true sacrifice.
• as a sacrifice (זֶבַח - zevach): A general term for "sacrifice," "offering." By explicitly pairing todah (thanksgiving) with zevach (sacrifice), the verse elevates heartfelt gratitude to the level of, or even above, a material offering. It redefines what constitutes an acceptable offering to God.
• honors me (יְכַבְּדֵנִי - yĕkabbĕdēnî): From the verb kabad, meaning "to be heavy," "to be weighty," "to be glorious," "to honor," "to glorify." To honor God means to ascribe weight, value, and respect to Him, recognizing His rightful authority and sovereignty. This is not mere lip service but an acknowledgment that flows from genuine appreciation.
• and to him who orders his way aright (וְשָׂם דֶּרֶךְ - vĕśām derek):
  • vĕśām: From sum/sim (שׂוּם), meaning "to put," "to place," "to set," "to establish." It implies intentionality and deliberation.
  • derek: Meaning "way," "path," "road," "conduct," "manner of life."
  • Literally "he who sets a way" or "places his way." This phrase signifies careful and deliberate attention to one's moral and ethical conduct. It is about a disciplined, upright lifestyle, ensuring that one's daily walk aligns with God's will and commands. It speaks to consistency in righteousness, not just sporadic acts of worship. It can also be understood as making his way "straight" or "plain," preparing it for God to reveal salvation.
• I will show the salvation of God (וְאֶרְאֵהוּ בְּיֵשַׁע אֱלֹהִים - vĕʾerʾēhû bĕyēshaʿ ʾĕlōhîm):
  • vĕʾerʾēhû: From raʾah (רָאָה), meaning "to see," "to perceive," "to experience," and in the Hiphil stem, "to show" or "make to see." God is the one doing the showing.
  • yēshaʿ: Meaning "salvation," "deliverance," "victory," "help," "welfare." It is a comprehensive term encompassing rescue from danger, well-being, spiritual deliverance, and ultimate redemption.
  • ʾĕlōhîm: The generic name for God.
  • The promise: God Himself will reveal, demonstrate, or cause the person to experience His powerful act of salvation. This "seeing" is experiential—it's not just intellectual understanding, but personally witnessing God's saving intervention in one's life.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me": This opening phrase asserts that the highest form of worship, the true means of honoring God, is heartfelt gratitude expressed and presented as if it were a sacrificial offering. It moves beyond external ritual to internal disposition and vocal acknowledgment of God's goodness, emphasizing spiritual over physical sacrifice.
• "and to him who orders his way aright": This phrase introduces the second crucial element of true worship: ethical conduct and consistent obedience. It highlights that worship is not confined to the temple or specific religious acts, but permeates one's entire life. Genuine honor for God manifests in disciplined living according to His commands, making one's life straight and aligned with His will. This establishes a clear link between piety and morality.
• "I will show the salvation of God": This is God's covenantal promise to those who engage in this two-fold true worship. "Salvation" here is multifaceted, ranging from deliverance in times of trouble to spiritual redemption and the ultimate experience of God's saving power. The phrase "show the salvation of God" implies an experiential revelation, a direct manifestation of God's saving hand in their lives. It's a guarantee that those who truly honor God with thanks and righteousness will intimately experience His redemptive work.

Psalm 50 23 Bonus section

• This verse stands as a powerful summary of true religion in the Old Testament, which is then elaborated upon and perfectly fulfilled in the New Testament through Jesus Christ. Christ is both the perfect sacrifice and the one who perfectly orders His way, enabling believers to offer spiritual sacrifices of praise and live in obedience.
• The emphasis on "seeing the salvation of God" resonates with various biblical promises for God's presence and manifestation to the obedient. It suggests a progressive revelation of God's saving work as individuals walk closely with Him.
• This verse challenges mere religious ritualism and superficial religiosity, advocating for a profound, transforming engagement with God that affects both belief and behavior. It serves as a timeless call for sincerity, integrity, and wholehearted devotion in every age.

Psalm 50 23 Commentary

Psalm 50:23 acts as the theological summation of the entire psalm, encapsulating God's true desire for His people. It refutes the idea that external religious practice, however meticulous, is sufficient if separated from an internal spirit of gratitude and an upright walk. The verse proposes a radical redefinition of "sacrifice" where genuine todah (thanksgiving, confession) becomes the superior offering to God. This isn't merely saying "thank you" but living a life marked by gratitude that influences one's entire being.

Crucially, the verse pairs this internal gratitude with external righteous living: "to him who orders his way aright." This signifies disciplined and ethical conduct, a life that consciously aligns with God's commands. It rejects the hypocrisy God condemned earlier in the psalm (vv. 16-21). God is not impressed by those who merely sing praises while living contrary to His will.

The promise, "I will show the salvation of God," is the divine response to this integrated worship. It's an experiential revelation; those who truly honor God with thanks and a righteous walk will personally witness His deliverance, provision, and redemptive power in their lives. This points to a holistic understanding of salvation, encompassing both spiritual and tangible blessings that flow from a right relationship with God rooted in heartfelt worship and obedience.