Psalm 50 50

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.,

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.’

‘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 exactly 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 blameless I will show my salvation.’