Psalm 50

An Asaph Psalm

1-3 The God of gods—it's God!—speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west. From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view. Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him.
4-5 He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court: "Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me."
6 The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge.
7-15 "Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak; Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial. This is God, your God, speaking to you. I don't find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer. But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds? Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine. Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood? Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, And call for help when you're in trouble— I'll help you, and you'll honor me."

16-21 Next, God calls up the wicked:
"What are you up to, quoting my laws, talking like we are good friends? You never answer the door when I call; you treat my words like garbage. If you find a thief, you make him your buddy; adulterers are your friends of choice. Your mouth drools filth; lying is a serious art form with you. You stab your own brother in the back, rip off your little sister. I kept a quiet patience while you did these things; you thought I went along with your game. I'm calling you on the carpet, now, laying your wickedness out in plain sight.
22-23 "Time's up for playing fast and loose with me. I'm ready to pass sentence, and there's no help in sight! It's the praising life that honors me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I'll show you my salvation." A David Psalm, After He Was Confronted by Nathan About the Affair with Bathsheba

Psalm 50

1 The Mighty One, God, Jehovah, hath spoken, And called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined forth.

3 Our God cometh, and doth not keep silence: A fire devoureth before him, And it is very tempestuous round about him.

4 He calleth to the heavens above, And to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 Gather my saints together unto me, Those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

6 And the heavens shall declare his righteousness; For God is judge himself. Selah

7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify unto thee: I am God, even thy God.

8 I will not reprove thee for thy sacrifices; And thy burnt-offerings are continually before me.

9 I will take no bullock out of thy house, Nor he-goats out of thy folds.

10 For every beast of the forest is mine, And the cattle upon a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the mountains; And the wild beasts of the field are mine.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell thee; For the world is mine, and the fulness thereof.

13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer unto God the sacrifice of thanksgiving; And pay thy vows unto the Most High:

15 And call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

16 But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, And that thou hast taken my covenant in thy mouth,

17 Seeing thou hatest instruction, And castest my words behind thee?

18 When thou sawest a thief, thou consentedst with him, And hast been partaker with adulterers.

19 Thou givest thy mouth to evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit.

20 Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; Thou slanderest thine own mother’s son.

21 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; Thou thoughtest that I was altogether such a one as thyself: But I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.

22 Now consider this, ye that forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver:

23 Whoso offereth the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifieth me; And to him that ordereth his way aright Will I show the salvation of God.