Psalm 50

A psalm of Asaph.

1The Mighty One, God, the Lord,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

2From Zion, perfect in beauty,

God shines forth.

3Our God comes

and will not be silent;

a fire devours before him,

and around him a tempest rages.

4He 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.’

6And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,

for he is a God of justice.50:6 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge50:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

7‘Listen, my people, and I will speak;

I will testify against you, Israel:

I am God, your God.

8I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices

or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

9I have no need of a bull from your stall

or of goats from your pens,

10for every animal of the forest is mine,

and the cattle on a thousand hills.

11I know every bird in the mountains,

and the insects in the fields are mine.

12If I were hungry I would not tell you,

for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14‘Sacrifice thank-offerings to God,

fulfil your vows to the Most High,

15and call on me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you will honour me.’

16But to the wicked person, God says:

‘What right have you to recite my laws

or take my covenant on your lips?

17You hate my instruction

and cast my words behind you.

18When you see a thief, you join with him;

you throw in your lot with adulterers.

19You use your mouth for evil

and harness your tongue to deceit.

20You sit and testify against your brother

and slander your own mother’s son.

21When you did these things and I kept silent,

you thought I was exactly50:21 Or thought the “I AM” was 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 you:

23those who sacrifice thank-offerings honour me,

and to the blameless50:23 Probable reading of the original Hebrew text; the meaning of the Masoretic Text for this phrase is uncertain. I will show my salvation.’