Psalms 50:22
Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Original Language Analysis
בִּֽינוּ
Now consider
H995
בִּֽינוּ
Now consider
Strong's:
H995
Word #:
1 of 9
to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 9
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
שֹׁכְחֵ֣י
this ye that forget
H7911
שֹׁכְחֵ֣י
this ye that forget
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
4 of 9
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
פֶּן
H6435
פֶּן
Strong's:
H6435
Word #:
6 of 9
properly, removal; used only (in the construction) adverb as conjunction, lest
אֶ֝טְרֹ֗ף
lest I tear you in pieces
H2963
אֶ֝טְרֹ֗ף
lest I tear you in pieces
Strong's:
H2963
Word #:
7 of 9
to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)
וְאֵ֣ין
H369
Cross References
Psalms 9:17The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.Job 8:13So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:Psalms 7:2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.Hosea 4:6My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.Deuteronomy 32:18Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.Isaiah 51:13And forgettest the LORD thy maker, that hath stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and hast feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, as if he were ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?Psalms 10:4The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.Jeremiah 2:32Can a maid forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? yet my people have forgotten me days without number.Amos 2:14Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:Hosea 13:8I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.
Historical Context
The lion-tearing imagery appears in prophetic judgment oracles (Hosea 5:14). It depicts God as powerful predator when His patience ends, unlike the silent observer they imagined.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to 'forget God' while still being religious?
- How does this warning balance with the earlier invitation to call on God in trouble?
Analysis & Commentary
The warning: 'Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.' The invitation to 'consider' offers opportunity for repentance. But continued forgetfulness leads to judgment described in violent imagery. 'None to deliver' emphasizes that no one can rescue from God's judgment.