Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1The Mighty One, God, the Lord,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

2From Zion, perfect in beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes and will not be silent;

a fire devours before him,

and around him a tempest rages.

4He summons the heavens above,

and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5“Gather to me my consecrated ones,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,

for God himself is judge.       Selah

7“Hear, O my people, and I will speak,

O Israel, and I will testify against you:

I am God, your God.

8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices

or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9I have no need of a bull from your stall

or of goats from your pens,

10for every animal of the forest is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know every bird in the mountains,

and the creatures of the field are mine.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you,

for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16But to the wicked, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

17You hate my instruction

and cast my words behind you.

18When you see a thief, you join with him;

you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19You use your mouth for evil

and harness your tongue to deceit.

20You speak continually against your brother

and slander your own mother’s son.

21These things you have done and I kept silent;

you thought I was altogether^a like you.

But I will rebuke you

and accuse you to your face.

22“Consider this, you who forget God,

or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

23He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me,

and he prepares the way

so that I may show him^b the salvation of God.”