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: "Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver."
This verse sits within Psalm 50, a psalm of Asaph that moves from complaint to exhortation. The psalm contrasts genuine worship with hollow ritual, reminding Israel that God cares about the heart behind offerings. Verse 22 functions as a stark summons: a reminder that forgetting God is not a private, inconsequential act but a serious breach with the one who sustains life. In the ancient world, forgetting a deity often meant abandoning covenant loyalty, social justice, and communal worship. The language—“lest I tear you in pieces”—is vivid, reflecting prophetic diction that warns of judgment rather than a mere theological error. Yet the surrounding context shows God’s desire for faithful living: God is the judge who calls his people to true responsibility in daily life. The contrast between sacrifices without obedience (earlier in the psalm) and heartfelt fidelity culminates here with a warning that neglecting God undermines the fabric of community and blessing.
This verse emphasizes divine judgment tethered to covenant faithfulness. Forgetting God is not only intellectual amnesia; it is actionable disloyalty that destabilizes justice, mercy, and governance in the community. The threat of “tearing in pieces” underscores the severity of breaking the relationship and the consequences of rebellious autonomy. Yet the broader psalm plus the biblical arc reveals that God remains a shepherd who seeks restoration, not merely punishment. The verse, therefore, invites a repentant orientation: loyalty to God must shape speech, choices, and social ethics. It also foreshadows Christ’s call to abide in him, where true life flows from remembered life with God rather than self-derived security.
We may forget God when busyness, cynicism, or self-sufficiency take center stage. Practical application: cultivate daily reminders of God’s presence—Scripture, gratitude, Sabbath rhythms, and faithful stewardship of money and time. Consider where your life reveals forgotten trust: anxious planning without prayer, judgment without mercy, or consumerism that overlooks God’s provision. In relationships, let remembrance manifest as lives that reflect God’s character: honesty, generosity, and care for the vulnerable. If you sense you’ve drifted, return with prayer that mirrors the psalmist’s honesty: a plea for mercy and a recommitment to covenant loyalty. Community life matters too—support churches and ministries that teach true worship, not just ritual performance. In practice, let your regular routines—work, family, and civic life—be aligned with God’s character, so that when others see you, they sense a people who have not forgotten their God.
Cross-References: Deuteronomy 8:11-14; Hosea 4:6; Psalm 42:4; Isaiah 43:22-23; Luke 12:4-5