Matthew Henry Commentary Psalms 50:7-15

"Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, [even] thy God. I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me. I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine. If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats? Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High: And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." — Psalms 50:7-15 (ASV)

To obey is better than sacrifice, and to love God and our neighbor better than all burnt offerings. We are warned here not to rest in these outward acts. Let us also 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 turn to the Lord in fervent prayer. Our troubles, even when we see them coming from God's hand, must drive us to him, not away from him. We must acknowledge him in all our ways, depend on his wisdom, power, and goodness, and commit ourselves wholly to him, and in this way give him glory.

In this way, we must maintain communion with God; meeting him with prayers during trials and with praises in times of deliverance. A believing supplicant will not only be graciously answered regarding his petition, and thus have cause for praising God, but will also receive grace to praise him.