Psalms 50

1 A psalm of Asaph. The Lord, the Almighty God, speaks! He summons everyone on earth, from the east to the west.

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

2 God shines out of Mount Zion, perfect in beauty.

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

3 Our God arrives, and does not stay quiet. Fire flames before him, burning everything up; a violent storm rages around him.

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

4 He summons the heavens above and the earth to witness the judgment of his people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

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

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

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

15 and call on me when you're in trouble. I will rescue you, and you will thank me.”

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

16 But to the wicked God says, “What's the point of mechanically repeating my laws or making empty promises about obeying the agreement?

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

17 You hate my discipline, and you toss my words away, leaving them behind you.

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

18 When you see people stealing, you admire them; you associate with adulterers.

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

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

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

20 You sit there and speak against your brother, slandering your own mother's son.

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

21 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.

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

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

23 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.”

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