God Himself Is Judge

A Psalm of Asaph.

1The Mighty One, God the LORD,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.

2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes; he does not keep silence;50:3 Or May our God come, and not keep silence

before him is a devouring fire,

around him a mighty tempest.

4He calls to the heavens above

and to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5“Gather to me my faithful ones,

who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

6The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge! Selah

7“Hear, O my people, and I will speak;

O Israel, I will testify against you.

I am God, your God.

8Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;

your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9I will not accept a bull from your house

or goats from your folds.

10For every beast of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know all the birds of the hills,

and all that moves in the field is mine.

12“If I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for the world and its fullness are mine.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,50:14 Or Make thanksgiving your sacrifice to God

and perform your vows to the Most High,

15and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

16But to the wicked God says:

“What right have you to recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?

17For you hate discipline,

and you cast my words behind you.

18If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,

and you keep company with adulterers.

19“You give your mouth free rein for evil,

and your tongue frames deceit.

20You sit and speak against your brother;

you slander your own mother's son.

21These things you have done, and I have been silent;

you thought that I50:21 Or that the I am was one like yourself.

But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

22“Mark this, then, you who forget God,

lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

23The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;

to one who orders his way rightly

I will show the salvation of God!”