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 by Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.

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

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

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, 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 witness the judgment of his people.

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

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

“Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

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

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

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

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

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

I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.

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

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

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

For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock 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 mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.

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

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

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

Will I eat the meat of bulls, 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 the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.

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

Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will 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 do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You sit and speak against your brother. You 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.

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

“Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be no one to deliver.

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.”

Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”