Psalms 50

1 A Psalm. Of Asaph. The God of gods, even the Lord, has sent out his voice, and the earth is full of fear; from the coming up of the sun to its going down.

A psalm of Asaph. The Lord God has spoken: He summons the earth from sunrise to sunset.

2 From Zion, most beautiful of places, God has sent out his light.

From Zion, perfection of beauty, God’s glory shines forth.

3 Our God will come, and will not keep quiet; with fire burning before him, and storm-winds round him.

Our God comes, he cannot keep silence, devouring fire is before him, and furious tempest around him.

4 His voice will go out to the heavens and to the earth, for the judging of his people:

He summons the heavens above and the earth to judge his people.

5 Let my saints come together to me; those who have made an agreement with me by offerings.

Gather to him his saints by covenant-sacrifice bound to him;

6 And let the heavens make clear his righteousness; for God himself is the judge. (Selah)

that the heavens may declare his justice, for a God of justice is he. (Selah)

7 Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God.

‘Hear, O my people, and I will speak, and protest to you, O Israel: I am the Lord, your God.

8 I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me.

Not for your sacrifices will I reprove you your burnt-offerings are ever before me

9 I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks;

Not a bullock will I take from your house, nor male goats out of your folds;

10 For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

for all beasts of the forest are mine, and the kine on a thousand hills.

11 I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine.

I know all the birds of the air, all that moves on the fields is mine.

12 If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth.

Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fulness are mine.

13 Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink?

Am I such as to eat bulls’ flesh, or drink the blood of goats?

14 Make an offering of praise to God; keep the agreements which you have made with the Most High;

Offer to God a thank-offering, pay the Most High your vows.

15 Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me.

Summon me in the day of distress, I will rescue you, so will you honour me.’

16 But to the sinner, God says, What are you doing, talking of my laws, or taking the words of my agreement in your mouth?

But to the wicked God says: ‘What right have you to talk of my statutes, or take my covenant into your mouth

17 Seeing that you have no desire for my teaching, turning your back on my words.

while you yourself hate correction, and cast my words behind you?

18 When you saw a thief, you were in agreement with him, and you were joined with those who took other men's wives.

When you see a thief, you run with them; with adulterers you keep company.

19 You have given your mouth to evil, your tongue to words of deceit.

You let your mouth loose for evil, your tongue contrives deceit.

20 You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son.

You shamefully speak of your kin, and slander your own mother’s son.

21 These things have you done, and I said nothing; it seemed to you that I was such a one as yourself; but I will make a protest against you, and put them in order before your eyes.

And because I kept silence at this, you did take me for one like yourself. But I will convict you and show you plainly.

22 Now keep this in mind, you who have no memory of God, for fear that you may be crushed under my hand, with no one to give you help:

‘Now you who forget God, mark this, lest I rend you, past hope of deliverance.

23 Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God.

Those who bring a thank-offering honour me; but to those: who follows my way, I will show the salvation of God.’