Psalms 50:16

14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High.

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”

To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?

17 For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers.

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips?
KJV
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth?
WEB
But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,
ASV
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth,
DARBY
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant into thy mouth,
BLB
And to the wicked God says, “What to you [is] to recount My statutes, and to lift up My covenant upon your mouth?
ÅB
Men til den ugudelige sier Gud: Hva har du med å fortelle om mine lover og føre min pakt i din munn?
OTB
Men til den ugudelige erklærer Gud,
“Hva rett har du til å sitere Mine lover
Og å tale om Min pakt?
B1930
Men til den ugudelige sier Gud: Hvad har du med å fortelle om mine lover og føre min pakt i din munn?

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Isaiah 29:13

    Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 78:36–38

    But they deceived Him with their mouths, and lied to Him with their tongues.

    Read in context
  • Psalms 25:14

    The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 55:6–7

    Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

    Read in context
  • Romans 2:17–24

    Now you, if you call yourself a Jew; if you rely on the law and boast in God;

    Read in context
  • Hebrews 8:9

    It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, because they did not abide by My covenant, and I disregarded them, declares the Lord.

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 48:1–2

    “Listen to this, O house of Jacob, you who are called by the name of Israel, who have descended from the line of Judah, who swear by the name of the LORD, who invoke the God of Israel— but not in truth or righteousness—

    Read in context
  • Proverbs 26:7

    Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

    Read in context