Psalms 50:4
He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
Original Language Analysis
יִקְרָ֣א
He shall call
H7121
יִקְרָ֣א
He shall call
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
1 of 8
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
to the heavens
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם
to the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
3 of 8
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
מֵעָ֑ל
from above
H5920
מֵעָ֑ל
from above
Strong's:
H5920
Word #:
4 of 8
properly, the top; specifically, the highest (i.e., god); also (adverb) aloft, to jehovah
הָ֝אָ֗רֶץ
and to the earth
H776
הָ֝אָ֗רֶץ
and to the earth
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
6 of 8
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Cross References
Isaiah 1:2Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth: for the LORD hath spoken, I have nourished and brought up children, and they have rebelled against me.Deuteronomy 32:1Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.Deuteronomy 31:28Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.Deuteronomy 4:26I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.Deuteronomy 30:19I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Historical Context
Covenant lawsuits (Hebrew rib) involved witnesses, charges, and verdict. Heaven and earth as witnesses appear in Moses' song, establishing the lawsuit pattern this psalm follows.
Questions for Reflection
- Why are heaven and earth called as witnesses?
- What does it mean that God judges 'his people' rather than pagans?
Analysis & Commentary
The cosmic courtroom: 'He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.' Heaven and earth serve as witnesses in the divine lawsuit, echoing Deuteronomy 32:1. God judges 'his people'--the covenant community is called to account.