Psalm 50

God the Judge.

He never sleeps or slumbers.   He's on the job 24/7, ruling righteously from His throne.

He will not overlook sin.

To the faithful, He says this:  Do not be content to simply honor or perform all of the sacrificial laws.  God desires obedience, yes, but that which overflows from a heart that loves Him.  He doesn't need the sacrifices.....He doesn't eat, and if He did, He owns them already.
Study notes point out the the pagan belief was that their gods did eat the sacrifices offered to them, and when they didn't get enough, they were hungry and punished the worshipers.  God, however, didn't desire the animal sacrifices for His own satisfaction, but to teach them of their sin, and need for atonement.  One who performed he sacrifices out of blind habit, without understanding, was displeasing to God.

Not only does He desire obedience, but our thanksgiving.  He desires our trust.  He desires relationship,  and will respond to our obedience, thanksgiving and trust with deliverance.
We will praise Him when we call upon Him in the day of trouble and He delivers us!

But to the wicked:  Why do you give Him lip service?  Why know the law of God, for you do not do it!  You indeed despise it, delighting in evil in your hearts.

"I have been silent,"......I think of God's great patience with us.  Other passages speak of Him as being 'slow to anger."  Verse three says He will NOT be silent.   In other words, He is so patient with us!   But His judgement is sure, and is coming like a consuming fire. His patience may seem like silence, but it is not.  He will NOT overlook sin.

Verse 22 warns those who 'forget'.....not meaning that they have a lapse of memory but in lifestyle, living as though God doesn't exist (RSB study note), There will be no deliverance for you!

But the one who offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving from a heart full of the knowledge of God will know the salvation of God!

What are parallels to today?  We don't practice the sacrificial system, since Christ has offered Himself up once and for all as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.  He effectively eliminated that system, or fulfilled it.  We do, however, fall into the trap of paying lip service to God, or participating in a works mentality that gives us false assurance of salvation and God's pleasure in us if we do certain things......like go to church (often), perhaps read our Bibles daily (check that off the daily list), perhaps jump on a moral bandwagon like feeding the poor or providing shoes for the children of third world countries.  These are all good things, but what is our demeanor when we do them?  Do we go to church out of an intense desire to worship Him, hear His Word, and fellowship with the saints?  Do we delight to be in His house?   Do we read His Word with a deep desire to know Him more and to obey it?  Do we participate in good works project with a desire to fulfill the great commission.......to make disciples for Him?

May we offer proper sacrifices to Him.....that please Him!

And may we not 'forget'.....living as though He doesn't see, hear, and know, but indeed may we live as those who know and love Him, trusting in His sovereign will, and resting in His great love for us!