For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse isn't just listing God's possessions; it's a gentle rebuke, highlighting that the animals offered in sacrifice are already His by creation. Therefore, presenting them to God doesn't actually give Him anything new or make Him indebted to the offerer.
For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills.
English Standard Version (ESV)
In this psalm, God is presented as a divine judge making a grand pronouncement. He calls on all creation to witness as He confronts His people about their hollow worship, specifically their reliance on sacrifices. The verses immediately before this emphasize God's knowledge of all things, while those following will explain that God doesn't need human offerings because He already owns everything, even the wild creatures of the forest and the vast herds on the hills.
When we think about giving to God, what do we imagine we're offering? Is it something truly ours, or something we're just borrowing?
This verse hits us with a powerful truth: God’s ownership of everything. 'For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.'
The Ultimate Landlord
The psalmist isn't just saying God owns a lot of animals. He's declaring absolute, unquestionable ownership. Every wild creature in the forest? God's. Every single cow and sheep grazing on countless hillsides? Also God's.
This isn't a suggestion; it's a declaration of fact. It means that no matter how much we possess, it all ultimately belongs to the Creator. He is the original owner, and we are merely stewards, caretakers of what is already His.
What's the implication for our worship and sacrifices when God already owns everything we could possibly offer?
The context of Psalm 50 is crucial here. God is speaking, and He's calling out His people for their religious practices. He points to these verses to highlight a profound irony:
The Unnecessary Gift
'For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills.' God is essentially saying, 'You're bringing me an offering, but do you realize that what you're offering is already mine?'
It’s like trying to impress a millionaire by giving them a single penny. It’s not that the penny is worthless, but it doesn’t add anything to the millionaire’s wealth. Similarly, our sacrifices and offerings, when viewed through the lens of God's absolute ownership, are not gifts that enrich God. Instead, they are our way of acknowledging His ownership and returning a portion of what He has entrusted to us.
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This psalm critiques a hollow, ritualistic worship prevalent during the post-exilic period, reminding the people that God's ownership of all creation underscores His demand for genuine heart-obedience, not just outward sacrifice.
c. 1000 BC
Davidic Kingdom Established
The united monarchy under David and Solomon leads to the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, centralizing worship and sacrifice.
c. 930 BC
Divided Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the kingdom splits into Israel (North) and Judah (South), leading to divergent worship practices and occasional religious syncretism.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants and scattering them throughout the empire.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and skilled workers, to Babylon.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the First Temple, and exile a large portion of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 538 BC
Return from Exile
Following Cyrus the Great's decree, many Judeans return from Babylonian exile and begin the process of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem.
c. 450 BC— this verse
Post-Exilic Period
The Temple is rebuilt, and religious reforms are emphasized, particularly the faithful observance of the Law and proper worship, which is the context for this Psalm's message.
This verse emphasizes God's ownership over all creation, echoing Psalm 50:10 by stating God created 'the heavens and the earth,' underscoring His ultimate sovereignty over every living thing, whether in the forest or on the hills.
Job 41:11This passage speaks about the great and powerful creatures of God's making, like Leviathan, reinforcing the idea that all living beings, from the wild beasts of the forest to the largest sea creatures, belong to God and are under His control.
Nehemiah 9:6Here, Nehemiah recounts God's creation of the heavens, the host of heaven, the earth, and all that is in it, affirming that God is the sole Lord and Creator, just as Psalm 50:10 asserts His ownership over all the beasts and cattle.
Colossians 1:16This New Testament verse directly states that 'all things were created through him and for him,' which aligns with the Psalmist's declaration that God owns everything, including the creatures on the hills and in the forests, as they were all made through and for Christ.
gillPsalms 50:10: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."
For every beast of the forest is mine,.... By creation and preservation; and therefore he stood in no need of their bullocks and he goats; and the cattle upon a thousand hills; meaning all the cattle in the whole world.
clarkePsalms 50:10: "For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills."
Every beast of the forest is mine - Can ye suppose that ye are laying me under obligation to you, when ye present me with a part of my own property?
This verse isn't just listing God's possessions; it's a gentle rebuke, highlighting that the animals offered in sacrifice are already His by creation. Therefore, presenting them to God doesn't actually give Him anything new or make Him indebted to the offerer.
In this psalm, God is presented as a divine judge making a grand pronouncement. He calls on all creation to witness as He confronts His people about their hollow worship, specifically their reliance on sacrifices. The verses immediately before this emphasize God's knowledge of all things, while those following will explain that God doesn't need human offerings because He already owns everything, even the wild creatures of the forest and the vast herds on the hills.
In this psalm, God is presented as a divine judge making a grand pronouncement. He calls on all creation to witness as He confronts His people about their hollow worship, specifically their reliance on sacrifices. The verses immediately before this emphasize God's knowledge of all things, while those following will explain that God doesn't need human offerings because He already owns everything, even the wild creatures of the forest and the vast herds on the hills.
"For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." — This verse isn't just listing God's possessions; it's a gentle rebuke, highlighting that the animals offered in sacrifice are already His by creation. Therefore, presenting them to God doesn't actual…
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Last reviewed October 2026