Psalm 50

God as Judge

A psalm of * Asaph. f

1 * Yahweh, the God of gods g speaks;

He summons the earth from east to west. h i

2 From * Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God appears in radiance. j k

3 Our God is coming; He will not be silent!

Devouring fire precedes Him,

and a storm rages around Him. l

4 On high, He summons heaven and earth

in order to judge His people. m

5 “Gather My faithful ones to Me,

those who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” n

6 The heavens proclaim His righteousness, o

for God is the Judge. p * Selah

7 “Listen, My people, and I will speak;

I will testify against you, Israel.

I am God, your God. q

8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices

or for your * burnt offerings,

which are continually before Me. r

9 I will not accept a bull from your household

or male goats from your pens, s

10 for every animal of the forest is Mine,

the cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know every bird of the mountains, t

and the creatures of the field are Mine. u

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

for the world and everything in it is Mine. v

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls

or drink the blood of goats? w

14 Sacrifice a thank offering to God, x

and pay your vows to the * Most High. y

15 Call on Me in a day of trouble;

I will rescue you, and you will honor Me.” z

16 But God says to the wicked:

“What right do you have to recite My statutes

and to take My covenant on your lips? a

17 You hate instruction

and turn your back on My words. b c

18 When you see a thief,

you make friends with him,

and you associate with adulterers. d

19 You unleash your mouth for evil

and harness your tongue for deceit. e

20 You sit, maligning your brother,

slandering your mother’s son. f

21 You have done these things, and I kept silent;

you thought I was just like you. g

But I will rebuke you

and lay out the case before you. h i

22 “Understand this, you who forget God,

or I will tear you apart,

and there will be no one to rescue you. j

23 Whoever sacrifices a thank offering honors Me,

and whoever orders his conduct,

I will show him the salvation of God.” k