Psalm 50 6

Psalm 50:6 kjv

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Psalm 50:6 nkjv

Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah

Psalm 50:6 niv

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.

Psalm 50:6 esv

The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge! Selah

Psalm 50:6 nlt

Then let the heavens proclaim his justice,
for God himself will be the judge. Interlude

Psalm 50 verses

Psalm 50 6 Meaning

Psalm 50:6 proclaims that the heavens actively declare God's righteousness, because God Himself is the ultimate Judge. This verse emphasizes God's perfect justice and sovereign authority, with creation itself serving as a witness to His righteous character and forthcoming judgment.

Psalm 50 6 Context

Psalm 50 opens with a magnificent cosmic summons, where God, "Elohim," the mighty God, calls upon the heavens and the earth to witness His judgment of His people, Israel. Verse 6 specifically articulates that the reason for the heavens' proclamation is God's intrinsic role as Judge. The Psalm describes a divine courtroom scene where God acts as the ultimate arbiter, not primarily to demand sacrifices (which Israel diligently offered outwardly) but to address the hypocrisy and spiritual hollowness within their worship and lives. The immediate verses (1-5) set the stage for this divine arraignment, depicting God coming in majestic splendor from Zion, ready to judge. The verse acts as a central declaration, justifying God's authority to bring forth charges and administer justice against His own covenant people, underscoring that His judgment is rooted in His perfect righteousness. This echoes ancient Near Eastern covenant treaties where higher powers (heavenly deities, often invoked through astronomical phenomena) were called as witnesses to human covenants.

Psalm 50 6 Word analysis

• וַיַּגִּידוּ (vayyaggidu): "And declare" or "and proclaim." This is a Hiphil form of the Hebrew verb nagad, meaning to make known, report, or tell. The Hiphil intensive stem signifies an active, forceful declaration, not merely a passive observation. The heavens are presented as sentient entities vocally announcing God's truth.
• שָׁמַיִם (shamayim): "Heavens." This refers to the celestial realm, often associated with God's dwelling and transcendence. In ancient thought, the heavens were vast, powerful, and mysterious, seen as impartial witnesses because they transcend earthly affairs. Their declaration signifies universal, undeniable testimony.
• צִדְקוֹ (tzidqo): "His righteousness." From the Hebrew tzedek (righteousness) with a pronominal suffix meaning "His." God's righteousness encompasses His moral integrity, justice, faithfulness to His covenant, and adherence to His own divine standards. It means He is right in all His dealings and decisions, especially His judgment.
• כִּי (ki): "For" or "because." This particle introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding statement. It establishes a causal link: the heavens declare God's righteousness because He is fundamentally the Judge.
• אֱלֹהִים (Elohim): "God." This is the general Hebrew name for God, often used in contexts emphasizing God's creative power, might, and universal dominion. Here, its use highlights God's universal sovereignty as the one true Judge.
• שׁוֹפֵט (shofet): "He Himself is judge." From the verb shafat, meaning to judge, govern, or render a decision. The participial form signifies an ongoing or intrinsic quality – "the one judging" or "Judge." The syntax emphasizes that God, personally and inherently, is the Judge; there is no higher court.
• סֶלָה (selah): A technical musical or liturgical term whose precise meaning is debated. It often indicates a pause for reflection, emphasis, or a musical interlude, serving to highlight the preceding profound declaration. It calls for contemplation on God's judicial role.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "The heavens declare His righteousness": This phrase attributes a living voice to creation. It's not just that the heavens reflect God's righteousness, but they actively proclaim it, serving as a cosmic witness. This underscores the undeniable, universal nature of God's justice. Even the non-rational creation implicitly testifies to God's inherent fairness and rightness, which human beings are called to acknowledge.
• "for God Himself is judge": This explains why the heavens declare His righteousness. God's very nature and active role is that of a Judge. The inclusion of "Himself" emphasizes God's personal, sovereign, and sole authority in judgment. There is no appeal beyond Him; His judgment is final and righteous because it stems from His character. This phrase lays the foundational truth for the entire subsequent judicial proceedings in Psalm 50.

Psalm 50 6 Bonus section

The concept of heaven and earth being called as witnesses (as seen in Deut 4:26, Isa 1:2) is deeply rooted in ancient covenant traditions, where cosmic entities were invoked to underscore the gravity and permanence of an agreement. Here, in Psalm 50, this motif transforms into a universal legal proceeding. The phrase "Elohim shofet" (God is judge) underscores God's immanent presence and active role as an arbiter, directly challenging any notion that He is distant or indifferent to human affairs. This divine courtroom theme will continue throughout the Psalm as God outlines His case against those who honor Him with their lips but whose hearts are far from Him (Matthew 15:8). This verse sets the stage for a dramatic, forensic theological discourse, establishing God's perfect qualifications before He issues His strong indictment.

Psalm 50 6 Commentary

Psalm 50:6 serves as a foundational declaration within God's courtroom assembly, establishing the unimpeachable basis for His judgment. The heavens, typically associated with divine presence and majesty, are here presented as active participants, bearing witness to God's flawless righteousness. This declaration is necessitated by the truth that God Himself inherently is the universal Judge. He does not delegate ultimate judgment nor does He consult external laws; His righteousness is the standard, and He executes justice based on His perfect character. The "Selah" demands a reflective pause, inviting deep consideration of this weighty truth: humanity, especially God's covenant people, stands before an utterly righteous and impartial Judge from whom nothing is hidden. This verse prepares the audience for the serious charges God will lay against His people's external ritualism and internal spiritual void, reminding them that His forthcoming indictment is not arbitrary, but grounded in His impeccable justice and authority over all creation.