John Calvin Commentary Psalms 50:22

"Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver:" — Psalms 50:22 (ASV)

Now consider this, ye that forget God. Here we have more of that severe expostulation which is absolutely necessary in dealing with hardened hypocrites, who otherwise will only deride all instruction. However, while the Psalmist threatens and intends to alarm them, he would, at the same time, hold out to them the hope of pardon, if they hasten to avail themselves of it.

But to prevent them from delaying, he warns them of the severity, as well as the suddenness, of divine judgments. He also charges them with base ingratitude for having forgotten God. And here, what a remarkable proof we have of God’s grace in extending the hope of mercy to those corrupt men, who had so impiously profaned his worship, who had so audaciously and sacrilegiously mocked his forbearance, and who had abandoned themselves to such scandalous crimes!

In calling them to repentance, he undoubtedly extends to them the hope that God will be reconciled to them, so that they may venture to appear in the presence of his majesty.

And can we conceive of greater clemency than this: to invite to himself, and into the bosom of the Church, such treacherous apostates and violators of his covenant, who had departed from the doctrine of godliness in which they had been brought up?

Great as it is, we would do well to reflect that it is no greater than what we ourselves have experienced. We, too, had apostatized from the Lord, and in his singular mercy he has brought us again into his fold.

We should also note that the Psalmist urges them to hasten their return, as the door of mercy will not always stand open for their admission—a necessary lesson for us all, lest we allow the day of our merciful visitation to pass by and be left, like Esau, to indulge in unavailing lamentations (Genesis 27:34). So much is implied when it is said, God shall seize upon you, and there shall be none to deliver.