Psalm 50

1 The Mighty One, God, the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

2 From Zion, perfect in beauty,
God shines forth.

3 Our God comes
and will not be silent;
a fire devours before him,
and around him a tempest rages.

4 He summons the heavens above,
and the earth, that he may judge his people:

5 “Gather to me this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice. ,

7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.

8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9 I have no need of a bull from your stall
or of goats from your pens,

10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird in the mountains,
and the creatures of the field are mine.

12 If I were hungry I would not tell you,
for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?

14 “Sacrifice thank offerings to God,
fulfill your vows to the Most High,

15 and call on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16 But to the wicked, God says:
“What right have you to recite my laws
or take my covenant on your lips?

17 You hate my instruction
and cast my words behind you.

18 When you see thieves, you join with them;
you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19 You use your mouth for evil
and harness your tongue to deceit.

20 You sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.

21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.

22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue:

23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

PSALMS 50

What Pleases God

1 From east to west,
the powerful [Lord] God
has been calling together
everyone on earth.

2 God shines brightly from Zion,
the most beautiful city.

3 Our God approaches,
but not silently;
a flaming fire comes first,
and a storm surrounds him.

4 God comes to judge his people.
He shouts to the heavens
and to the earth,

5 “Call my followers together!
They offered me a sacrifice,
and we made an agreement.”

6 The heavens announce,
“God is the judge,
and he is always honest.”

7 My people, I am God!
Israel, I am your God.
Listen to my charges
against you.

8 Although you offer sacrifices
and always bring gifts,

9 I won't accept your offerings
of bulls and goats.

10 Every animal in the forest
belongs to me,
and so do the cattle
on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds
in the mountains,
and every wild creature
is in my care.

12 If I were hungry,
I wouldn't tell you,
because I own the world
and everything in it.

13 I don't eat the meat of bulls
or drink the blood of goats.

14 I am God Most High!
The only sacrifice I want
is for you to be thankful
and to keep your word.

15 Pray to me in time of trouble.
I will rescue you,
and you will honor me.

16 But to the wicked I say:
“You don't have the right
to mention my laws or claim
to keep our agreement!

17 You refused correction
and rejected my commands.

18 You made friends
with every crook you met,
and you liked people who break
their wedding vows.

19 You talked only about violence
and told nothing but lies;

20 you sat around gossiping,
ruining the reputation
of your own relatives.”

21 When you did all this,
I didn't say a word,
and you thought,
“God is just like us!”
But now I will accuse you.

22 You have ignored me!
So pay close attention
or I will tear you apart,
and no one can help you.

23 The sacrifice that honors me
is a thankful heart.
Obey me, t and I, your God,
will show my power to save.