Psalms 50

Psalm 501

A psalm by Asaph.

50:1 El, God, the Lord2 speaks,

and summons the earth to come from the east and west.3

50:2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places,4

God comes in splendor.5

50:3 Our God approaches and is not silent;6

consuming fire goes ahead of him

and all around him a storm rages.7

50:4 He summons the heavens above,

as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.8

50:5 He says:9

“Assemble my covenant people before me,10

those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!”11

50:6 The heavens declare his fairness,12

for God is judge.13 (Selah)

50:7 He says:14

“Listen my people! I am speaking!

Listen Israel! I am accusing you!15

I am God, your God!

50:8 I am not condemning16 you because of your sacrifices,

or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.17

50:9 I do not need to take18 a bull from your household

or goats from your sheepfolds.

50:10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me,

as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.19

50:11 I keep track of20 every bird in the hills,

and the insects21 of the field are mine.

50:12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you,

for the world and all it contains belong to me.

50:13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls?

Do I drink the blood of goats?22

50:14 Present to God a thank-offering!

Repay your vows to the sovereign One!23

50:15 Pray to me when you are in trouble!24

I will deliver you, and you will honor me!”25

50:16 God says this to the evildoer:26

“How can you declare my commands,

and talk about my covenant?27

50:17 For you hate instruction

and reject my words.28

50:18 When you see a thief, you join him;29

you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.30

50:19 You do damage with words,31

and use your tongue to deceive.32

50:20 You plot against your brother;33

you slander your own brother.34

50:21 When you did these things, I was silent,35

so you thought I was exactly like you.36

But now I will condemn37 you

and state my case against you!38

50:22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God!39

Otherwise I will rip you to shreds40

and no one will be able to rescue you.

50:23 Whoever presents a thank-offering honors me.41

To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”42

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