Psalms 50:16
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
Original Language Analysis
וְלָ֤רָשָׁ֨ע׀
But unto the wicked
H7563
וְלָ֤רָשָׁ֨ע׀
But unto the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
1 of 11
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֗ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
מַה
H4100
מַה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
לְסַפֵּ֣ר
What hast thou to do to declare
H5608
לְסַפֵּ֣ר
What hast thou to do to declare
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
חֻקָּ֑י
my statutes
H2706
חֻקָּ֑י
my statutes
Strong's:
H2706
Word #:
7 of 11
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וַתִּשָּׂ֖א
or that thou shouldest take
H5375
וַתִּשָּׂ֖א
or that thou shouldest take
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
8 of 11
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְרִיתִ֣י
my covenant
H1285
בְרִיתִ֣י
my covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
9 of 11
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
Historical Context
This addresses religious hypocrisy--using correct vocabulary while living contradictory lives. The prophets frequently condemned this disconnect between profession and practice.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'take God's covenant in thy mouth' without living it?
- How can religious knowledge become a form of wickedness?
Analysis & Commentary
The shift to the wicked: 'But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?' The wicked person recites God's laws and claims covenant relationship, but their behavior contradicts their profession. Religious talk without righteous life is condemned.