Psalm 50

1 The Mighty One, God the Lord,

God the Righteous JudgeA Psalm of Asaph. Has spoken and called the earth From the rising of the sun to its going down.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God will shine forth.3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent; A fire shall devour before Him, And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.4 He shall call to the heavens from above, And to the earth, that He may judge His people:5 Gather My saints together to Me, Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.6 Let the heavens declare His righteousness, For God Himself is Judge. Selah7 Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you; I am God, your God!8 I will not rebuke you for your sacrifices Or your burnt offerings, Which are continually before Me.9 I will not take a bull from your house, Nor goats out of your folds.10 For every beast of the forest is Mine, And the cattle on 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 you; For the world is Mine, and all its fullness.13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls, Or drink the blood of goats?14 Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High.15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.16 But to the wicked God says: What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,17 Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you?18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers.19 You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit.20 You sit and speak against your brother; You slander your own mothers son.21 These things you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you, And set them in order before your eyes.22 Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear you in pieces, And there be none to deliver:23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God.

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.