Marbaniang, Domenic - Psalm 50 Commentary

An exposition of Asaph's first psalm, Psalm 50, with an introduction to the nature of Asaphic psalms related to the temple ministry.

Excerpt:

Psa 50:1-3  THE DIVINE APPEARANCE

The introductory sentences are indubitably awe-inspiring. “The Mighty God, even the LORD....”  The Hebrew for “Mighty God” is El-Elohim which is a superlative qualificative name for God; furthermore, intended to qualify the personal name of God following it: YHWH (LORD).
The understanding of the names, the juxtaposition seems to indicate at least three things,
1. Gradation. According to Hengstenberg, “In the relation of these designations there is a gradation. Elohim is more than El, to which its singular Eloah is equivalent. The plural marks the fullness and the richness of the Divine nature. Jehovah is the highest name according to its derivation -- it marks God as the only real Being -- and, according to the usage also, which ascribes to Jehovah the most glorious manifestations of God to and behalf of His people.”
2. Specification. The names move from the general to the specific. El and Elohim were names which even the gentiles would use for God, but the name YHWH was only used by the children of Israel. This was the name which the Lord said was His name forever, and His memorial unto all generations (Exodus 3.15). This was no God which the heathens served. This was YHWH, Elohim of elohim, the awesome El(Deut.10.17) who brought these Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt into this promised land.

NOTE:

Topic file of this module is available here: Marbaniang, Domenic - Psalm 50: A Psalm of Asaph -9.x