Aa

Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.
1The Mighty One, God, the Lord, speaks.
He calls out to the earth
from the sunrise in the east
to the sunset in the west.
2From Zion, perfect and beautiful,
God’s glory shines out.
3Our God comes, and he won’t be silent.
A burning fire goes ahead of him.
A terrible storm is all around him.
4He calls out to heaven and earth to be his witnesses.
Then he judges his people.
5He says, “Gather this holy people around me.
They made a covenant with me by offering a sacrifice.”
6The heavens announce that what God decides is right.
That’s because he is a God of justice.

7God says, “Listen, my people, and I will speak.
I will be a witness against you, Israel.
I am God, your God.
8I don’t bring charges against you because of your sacrifices.
I don’t bring charges because of the burnt offerings you always bring me.
9I don’t need a bull from your barn.
I don’t need goats from your pens.
10Every animal in the forest already belongs to me.
And so do the cattle on a thousand hills.
11I own every bird in the mountains.
The insects in the fields belong to me.
12If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you.
The world belongs to me. And so does everything in it.
13Do I eat the meat of bulls?
Do I drink the blood of goats?
14Bring me thank offerings, because I am your God.
Carry out the promises you made to me, because I am the Most High God.
15Call out to me when trouble comes.
I will save you. And you will honor me.”
16But here is what God says to a sinful person.
“What right do you have to speak the words of my laws?
How dare you speak the words of my covenant!
17You hate my teaching.
You turn your back on what I say.
18When you see a thief, you join him.
You make friends with those who commit adultery.
19You use your mouth to speak evil.
You use your tongue to spread lies.
20You are a witness against your brother.
You always tell lies about your own mother’s son.
21When you did these things, I kept silent.
So you thought I was just like you.
But now I’m going to bring you to court.
I will bring charges against you.

22“You who forget God, think about this.
If you don’t, I will tear you to pieces.
No one will be able to save you.
23People who sacrifice thank offerings to me honor me.
To those who are without blame I will show my power to save.”