“Seeing thou hatest instruction, and castest my words behind thee.”
The accusation that the wicked hate instruction and have cast God's words behind their backs establishes their deliberate rejection of divine teaching. The reference to hating instruction suggests active resistance to correction and learning; the wicked refuse to be shaped by divine guidance. The image of casting words behind the back suggests contempt and dismissal; the wicked actively reject divine communication. The emphasis on deliberate rejection and contempt establishes that the wicked's condition flows from willful disobedience rather than mere weakness or ignorance. This verse establishes the wicked's culpability for their situation; they have chosen their path despite clear divine instruction.
Church Fathers on Psalms 50:17
1. How much avails the Word of God to us for the correction of our life, both regarding His rewards to be expected, and His punishments to be feared, let each one measure in himself; and let him put his conscience without deceit before His eyes, and not flatter himself in a danger so great: for you see that even our Lord God Himself does flatter no one: though He comforts us by promising His blessings, and by strengthening our hope; yet them that live ill and despise His word…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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