[1] A Psalm of Asaph. [2] The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons
the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. [3] Out of Zion, the
perfection of beauty, God shines forth. [4] Our God comes, he does not keep
silence, before him is a devouring fire, round about him a mighty tempest.
[5] He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his
people: [6] "Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by
sacrifice!" [7] The heavens declare his righteousness, for God himself is
judge! [Selah] [8] "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, I will
testify against you. I am God, your God. [9] I do not reprove you for your
sacrifices; your burnt offerings are continually before me. [10] I will
accept no bull from your house, nor he-goat from your folds. [11] For every
beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. [12] I know
all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. [13] "If
I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world and all that is in it is
mine. [14] Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? [15]
Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most
High; [16] and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and
you shall glorify me." [17] But to the wicked God says: "What right have
you to recite my statutes, or take my covenant on your lips? [18] For you
hate discipline, and you cast my words behind you. [19] If you see a thief,
you are a friend of his; and you keep company with adulterers. [20] "You
give your mouth free rein for evil, and your tongue frames deceit. [21] You
sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. [22]
These things you have done and I have been silent; you thought that I was
one like yourself. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before you.
[23] "Mark this, then, you who forget God, lest I rend, and there be none
to deliver! [ (Psalms 50:24) He who brings thanksgiving as his sacrifice
honors me; to him who orders his way aright I will show the salvation of
God!" ]
