Psalms 50
1 [A Psalm by Asaph.] The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks, and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
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 shines forth.
God shines out of Mount Zion, perfect in beauty.
3 Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him.
Our God arrives, and does not stay quiet. Fire flames before him, burning everything up; a violent storm rages around him.
4 He calls to the heavens above, 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 faithful ones together to me, those who 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 The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. (Selah)
The heavens declare his decisions are right, for God himself is the judge. (Selah)
7 "Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, and I will testify against you. I am God, 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 do not rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.
I'm not complaining about your sacrifices or burnt offerings that you offer all the time.
9 I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens.
I do not require bulls from your barns or goats from your pens,
10 For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock 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 birds of the mountains. The wild animals 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 all that is in it.
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 the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.
Give an offering of thanks to God; keep the promises you made to the Most High,
15 Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor 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 right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,
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 throw my words behind you?
You hate my discipline, and you toss my words away, leaving them behind you.
18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers.
When you see people stealing, you admire them; you associate with adulterers.
19 "You give your mouth to evil. 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 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.
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 who forget God, lest I tear you into 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 the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me; and to him who orders his conduct I will 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.”
