Psalm 50

Psalm 50

The Acceptable Sacrifice

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 The mighty one, God the Lord,

speaks and summons the earth

from the rising of the sun to its setting.*

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God shines forth.*

3 Our God comes and does not keep silent;

before him is a devouring fire

and a mighty tempest all around him.*

4 He 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!”*

6 The 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.*

8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;

your burnt offerings are continually before me.*

9 I will not accept a bull from your house

or goats from your folds.*

10 For every wild animal of the forest is mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.*

11 I know all the birds of the air,v

and all that moves in the field is mine.

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

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

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,w

and pay your vows to the Most High.*

15 Call on 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 recite my statutes

or take my covenant on your lips?*

17 For you hate discipline,

and you cast my words behind you.*

18 You make friends with a thief when you see one,

and you keep company with adulterers.*

19 You give your mouth free rein for evil,

and your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your kin;

you slander your own mother’s child.*

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

you thought that I was one just like yourself.

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

22 Mark this, then, you who forget God,

or I will tear you apart, and there will be no one to deliver.*

23 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me;

to those who go the right way,x

I will show the salvation of God.”