Psalm 50

(A psalm by Asaph)

Jehovah, who is the Almighty God, has spoken
He summons from east to west the people of the earth.
God shines from Zion, the paragon of beauty.
Our god comes to us and it is not quietly:
A consuming conflagration rages before him,
And a turbulent tempest swirls all about him.
He calls to the heavens above and the earth below
That all may witness the judgment of his people.

“Gather together all my faithful followers,
Who have pledged themselves to me with a sacrifice.”

The heavens proclaim his justice, for God himself is judge.

“Listen, O my people, and I will speak.
I lay charges against you, O Israel.
I am God, your god.

“I do not reprove you for your sacrifices,
The burnt offerings continually made to me.
I need no bull from your pen, or goat from your fold,
For all the animals of the forest are mine,
Even the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
I know every bird that flies above the mountain slopes,
And all the creatures that creep in the field are mine.
Should I be hungry, I have no need to tell you,
For the earth and all it contains belongs to me.
Need I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

“Make to God sacrifices of thanksgiving
And fulfill the vows you made to the Most High.
Call upon me when you are in distress.
I will save you and you will honor me.”

But to the wicked, God will say,
“What right have you to quote my laws
Or recite aloud my covenant?
You have refused my instruction
And have turned your back on my words.
If you see a thief, you join with him
And take the part of adulterers.
Your mouth gives vent to words of evil
And your tongue practices deceit.
You sit and speak against your brother
And slander your own mother’s son.

“When you did these things I held my peace,
And you assumed I was just like you.
But I will admonish you now
And lay my charges before you.
You who forget God, ponder these things,
Or else I may tear you apart --
And there will been none to save you.

“Whoever makes a sacrifice to me,
An offering of thanksgiving, honors me.
Whoever orders his conduct aright,
To him I will reveal God’s salvation.”