1 A psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. |
2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. |
3 Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages. |
4 He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people: |
5 "Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice." |
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah |
7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. |
8 I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me. |
9 I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, |
10 for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. |
11 I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine. |
12 If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it. |
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? |
14 Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High, |
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me." |
16 But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips? |
17 You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you. |
18 When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers. |
19 You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. |
20 You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son. |
21 These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face. |
22 "Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue: |
23 He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God." |