Psalms 50
1 The mighty God, even the LORD, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof.
A psalm of Asaph. The Lord, the Almighty God, speaks! He summons everyone on earth, from the east to the west.
2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined.
God shines out of Mount Zion, perfect in beauty.
3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.
Our God arrives, and does not stay quiet. Fire flames before him, burning everything up; a violent storm rages around him.
4 He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people.
He summons the heavens above and the earth to witness the judgment of his people.
5 Gather my saints together to me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.
“Bring me those who trust in me—those who confirmed the agreement with me through sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. (Selah)
The heavens declare his decisions are right, for God himself is the judge. (Selah)
7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify 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 reprove you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, to have been continually before me.
I'm not complaining about your sacrifices or burnt offerings that you offer all the time.
9 I will take no bullock out of your house, nor he goats out of your folds.
I do not require bulls from your barns or goats from your pens,
10 For every beast of the forest 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 know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine.
I know every bird of the mountains; all living things in the fields are mine.
12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you: for the world is mine, and the fullness thereof.
If I were hungry, I wouldn't tell you, for the earth and everything in it are mine.
13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
14 Offer to God thanksgiving; and pay your vows to the most High:
Give an offering of thanks to God; keep the promises you made to the Most High,
15 And call on me in the day of trouble: I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.
and call on me when you're in trouble. I will rescue you, and you will thank me.”
16 But to the wicked God says, What have you to do to declare my statutes, or that you should take my covenant 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 you hate instruction, and casts my words behind you.
You hate my discipline, and you toss my words away, leaving them behind you.
18 When you saw a thief, then you consented with him, and have been partaker with adulterers.
When you see people stealing, you admire them; you associate with adulterers.
19 You give your mouth to evil, and your tongue frames deceit.
With your mouth you say evil things; you use your tongue to spread lies.
20 You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own 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 kept silence; you thought that I was altogether such an one as yourself: but I will reprove you, and set 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 consider this, you that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
Think again, you people who dismiss God, or I will tear you apart, and no-one will be able to save you.
23 Whoever offers praise glorifies me: and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show 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.”
