Psalms 50

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

[A Psalm by Asaph.] The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, speaks, and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

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

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines forth.

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

Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him.

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

He calls to the heavens above, to the earth, that he may judge his people:

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

"Gather my faithful ones together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

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

The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. (Selah)

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

"Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will testify against you. I am God, your God.

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

I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.

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

I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens.

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

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills.

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

I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.

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

If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

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

Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

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

Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.

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

Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

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

But to the wicked God says, "What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,

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

seeing you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?

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

When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers.

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

"You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit.

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

You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother's son.

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

You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.

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

"Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be none to deliver.

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

Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me; and to him who orders his conduct I will show the salvation of God."