translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: PSA

label: NET study note

text: . This psalm takes the form of a covenant lawsuit in which the Lord comes to confront his people in a formal manner (as in Isa 1:2-20 ). The Lord emphasizes that he places priority on obedience and genuine worship, not empty ritual.


text: Israel’s God is here identified with three names: El ( אֵל [’ el ], or “God”), Elohim ( אֱלֹהִים [’ elohim ], or “God”), and Yahweh ( יְהוָה [ yÿhvah ] or “the Lord ”). There is an obvious allusion here to Josh 22:22 , the only other passage where these three names appear in succession. In that passage the Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh declare, “El, God, the Lord ! El, God, the Lord ! He knows the truth! Israel must also know! If we have rebelled or disobeyed the Lord , don’t spare us today!” In that context the other tribes had accused the trans-Jordanian tribes of breaking God’s covenant by worshiping idols. The trans-Jordanian tribes appealed to “El, God, the Lord ” as their witness that they were innocent of the charges brought against them. Ironically here in “ El, God, the Lord ” accuses his sinful covenant people of violating the covenant and warns that he will not spare them if they persist in their rebellion.


text: In vv. 7-15 the Lord makes it clear that he was not rebuking Israel because they had failed to offer sacrifices (v. 8 a). On the contrary, they had been faithful in doing so (v. 8 b). However, their understanding of the essence of their relationship with God was confused. Apparently they believed that he needed/desired such sacrifices and that offering them would ensure their prosperity. But the Lord owns all the animals of the world and did not need Israel’s meager sacrifices (vv. 9-13 ). Other aspects of the relationship were more important to the Lord. He desired Israel to be thankful for his blessings (v. 14 a), to demonstrate gratitude for his intervention by repaying the vows they made to him (v. 14 b), and to acknowledge their absolute dependence on him (v. 15 a). Rather than viewing their sacrifices as somehow essential to God’s well-being, they needed to understand their dependence on him.


text: Elsewhere in the psalms this verb is used (within a metaphorical framework) of a lion tearing its prey (see Pss 7:2; 17:12; 22:13 ).


text: The reference to a thank-offering recalls the earlier statement made in v. 14 . Gratitude characterizes genuine worship.