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, the Almighty God, speaks! He summons everyone on earth, from the east to the west.

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

God shines out of Mount Zion, perfect in beauty.

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

Our God arrives, and does not stay quiet. Fire flames before him, burning everything up; a violent storm rages 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 witness the judgment of his people.

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

“Bring me those who trust in me—those who confirmed the agreement with me through sacrifice.”

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

The heavens declare his decisions are right, for God himself is the judge. (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.

“My people, listen to what I have to say. I am bringing charges against you, Israel. I am God, 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.

I'm not complaining about your sacrifices or burnt offerings that you offer all the time.

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

I do not require bulls from your barns or goats from your pens,

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

for I own all the animals of the forest, and the cattle on a thousand hills belong to me.

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

I know every bird of the mountains; all living things in the fields are 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.

If I were hungry, I wouldn't tell you, for the earth and everything in it are mine.

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

Do I eat the flesh of bulls 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;

Give an offering of thanks to God; keep the promises you made to the Most High,

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.

and call on me when you're in trouble. I will rescue you, and you will thank 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's the point of mechanically repeating my laws or making empty promises about obeying the agreement?

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

You hate my discipline, and you toss my words away, leaving them 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 people stealing, you admire them; you associate with adulterers.

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

With your mouth you say evil things; you use your tongue to spread lies.

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

You sit there and speak against your brother, slandering 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.

I kept quiet when you did these things. You thought I was someone just like you. But now I confront you, and bring my charges against you.

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:

Think again, you people who dismiss God, or I will tear you apart, and no-one will be able to save you.

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.

But those who give an offering of thanks honor me, and to those who follow the right I will show them the salvation of God.”