50:1 A psalm by Asaph.

El, God, the Lord has spoken,

and summoned the earth to come from the east and west.

2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places,

God has come in splendor.

3 “May our God come

and not be silent.”

Consuming fire goes ahead of him,

and all around him a storm rages.

4 He summons the heavens above,

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

5 He says:

“Assemble my covenant people before me,

those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6 The heavens declare his fairness,

for God is judge. (Selah)

7 He says:

“Listen, my people. I am speaking!

Listen, Israel. I am accusing you.

I am God, your God!

8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices,

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

9 I do not need to take a bull from your household

or goats from your sheepfolds.

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

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

11 I keep track of every bird in the hills,

and the insects of the field are mine.

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

for the world and all it contains belong to me.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls?

Do I drink the blood of goats?

14 Present to God a thank offering.

Repay your vows to the Most High.

15 Pray to me when you are in trouble.

I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16 God says this to the evildoer:

“How can you declare my commands,

and talk about my covenant?

17 For you hate instruction

and reject my words.

18 When you see a thief, you join him;

you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives.

19 You do damage with words,

and use your tongue to deceive.

20 You plot against your brother;

you slander your own brother.

21 When you did these things, I was silent,

so you thought I was exactly like you.

But now I will condemn you

and state my case against you.

22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God.

Otherwise I will rip you to shreds

and no one will be able to rescue you.

23 Whoever presents a thank offering honors me.

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

The Scriptures quoted are from the NET Bible® copyright © 1996, 2019, used with permission from Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.