Psalms — Chapter 50

A psalm of Asaph.God, the ETERNAL God,aGod,…God Heb. ʼEl ʼElohim. spokeand summoned the world from east to west.

From Zion, perfect in beauty,God appeared

—let our God come and not fail to act![God] was preceded by devouring fire,with a fierce storm all around.

The heavens above were summoned,and the earth, for the trial of God’s people.

“Bring in My devotees,who made a covenant with Me over sacrifice!”

Then the heavens proclaimed God’s righteousness,for this is a God who judges.    Selah.

“Pay heed, My people, and I will speak,O Israel, and I will arraign you.I am God, your God.

I censure you not for your sacrifices,and your burnt offerings, made to Me daily;

I claim no bull from your estate,no he-goats from your pens.

For Mine is every animal of the forest,the beasts on a thousand mountains.ba thousand mountains Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

I know every bird of the mountains,the creatures of the field are subject to Me.

Were I hungry, I would not tell you,for Mine is the world and all it holds.

Do I eat the flesh of bulls,or drink the blood of he-goats?

Sacrifice a thank offering to God,and pay your vows to the Most High.

Call upon Me in time of trouble;I will rescue you, and you shall honor Me.”

And to the wicked, God said:“Who are you to recite My laws,and mouth the terms of My covenant,

seeing that you spurn My discipline,and brush My words aside?

You fall in with a thief when you see one,and throw in your lot with adulterers;

you devote your mouth to evil,and yoke your tongue to deceit;

you are busy maligning your kin,defaming the child of your mother.

If I failed to act when you did these things,you would fancy that I was like you;so I censure you and confront you with charges.

Mark this, you who are unmindful of God,lest I tear you apart and no one save you.

Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me,and to one who sets out on the proper waycand to one who sets out on the proper way Meaning of Heb. uncertain. I will show the salvation of God.”