Psalms 50:11

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 50:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.
Psalms 50:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 50

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the waters covered their enemies, etc.] They pursuing the Israelites into the sea, the waters returned, and covered Pharaoh and all his host, and drowned them, so that they sunk as a stone, and as lead into the bottom of the sea, (<021428>Exodus 14:28 15:4,5,10). There was not one of them left; to return back to Egypt, and give an account of what became of the army, (<021428>Exodus 14:28), an emblem this of the utter destruction of all our spiritual enemies by Christ; who has not only saved us from them, but has entirely destroyed them; he has made an end of sin, even of all the sins of his people; he has spoiled Satan and his principalities and powers; he has abolished death, the last…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I know all the fowls of the mountains - That is, I am fully acquainted with their numbers; their nature; their habits; their residence. I have such a knowledge of them that I could appropriate them to my own use if I were in need of them. I am not, therefore, dependent on people to offer them, for I can use them as I please. And the wild beasts of the field are mine - Margin, “with me.” That is, they are before me. They are never out of my presence. At any time, therefore, I could use them as I might need them. The word rendered “wild beasts” - זיז zı̂yz - means any moving thing; and the idea here is, whatever moves in the field, or roams abroad. Everything is his - whether on the mountains,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The fowls - Such as are wild and fly up and down upon mountains. Psalms 50:14”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“know: Psa 104:12, Psa 147:9; Gen 1:20-22; Job 38:41, Job 39:13-18, Job 39:26-30; Mat 6:26; Mat 10:29-31; Luk 12:24 wild: Isa 56:9; Eze 14:15, Eze 14:16 mine: Heb. with me Psalms 50:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification