8 I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me. 9 I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks; 10 For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine. 12 If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth. 13 Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink?
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 50:8-13
Commentary on Psalm 50:7-15
(Read Psalm 50:7-15)
To obey is better than sacrifice, and to love God and our neighbour better than all burnt-offerings. We are here warned not to rest in these performances. And let us beware of resting in any form. God demands the heart, and how can human inventions please him, when repentance, faith, and holiness are neglected? In the day of distress we must apply to the Lord by fervent prayer. Our troubles, though we see them coming from God's hand, must drive us to him, not drive us from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend upon his wisdom, power, and goodness, and refer ourselves wholly to him, and so give him glory. Thus must we keep up communion with God; meeting him with prayers under trials, and with praises in deliverances. A believing supplicant shall not only be graciously answered as to his petition, and so have cause for praising God, but shall also have grace to praise him.