Psalm 50 | New International Reader’s Version

A psalm of Asaph.

1 The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks. He calls out to the earth from the sunrise in the east to the sunset in the west. 2 From Zion, perfect and beautiful, God’s glory shines out. 3 Our God comes, and he won’t be silent. A burning fire goes ahead of him. A terrible storm is all around him. 4 He calls out to heaven and earth to be his witnesses. Then he judges his people. 5 He says, ‘Gather this holy people around me. They made a covenant with me by offering a sacrifice.’ 6 The heavens announce that what God decides is right. That’s because he is a God of justice. 7 God says, ‘Listen, my people, and I will speak. I will be a witness against you, Israel. I am God, your God. 8 I don’t bring charges against you because of your sacrifices. I don’t bring charges because of the burnt offerings you always bring me. 9 I don’t need a bull from your barn. I don’t need goats from your pens. 10 Every animal in the forest already belongs to me. And so do the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I own every bird in the mountains. The insects in the fields belong to me. 12 If I were hungry, I wouldn’t tell you. The world belongs to me. And so does everything in it. 13 Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? 14 Bring me thank-offerings, because I am your God. Carry out the promises you made to me, because I am the Most High God. 15 Call out to me when trouble comes. I will save you. And you will honour me.’ 16 But here is what God says to a sinful person. ‘What right do you have to speak the words of my laws? How dare you speak the words of my covenant! 17 You hate my teaching. You turn your back on what I say. 18 When you see a thief, you join him. You make friends with those who commit adultery. 19 You use your mouth to speak evil. You use your tongue to spread lies. 20 You are a witness against your brother. You always tell lies about your own mother’s son. 21 When you did these things, I kept silent. So you thought I was just like you. But now I’m going to bring you to court. I will bring charges against you. 22 ‘You who forget God, think about this. If you don’t, I will tear you to pieces. No one will be able to save you. 23 People who sacrifice thank-offerings to me honour me. To those who are without blame I will show my power to save.’