Psalms 50 — FBV

A psalm of Asaph.

50Verse 1The Lord, the Almighty God, speaks! He summons everyone on earth, from the east to the west.
^{Verse 2}God shines out of Mount Zion, perfect in beauty.
^{Verse 3}Our God arrives, and does not stay quiet. Fire flames before him, burning everything up; a violent storm rages around him.
^{Verse 4}He summons the heavens above and the earth to witness the judgment of his people.
^{Verse 5}“Bring me those who trust in me—those who confirmed the agreement⁺with me through sacrifice.”
^{Verse 6}The heavens declare his decisions are right, for God himself is the judge. Selah.
^{Verse 7}“My people, listen to what I have to say. I am bringing charges against you, Israel. I am God, your God!
^{Verse 8}I'm not complaining about your sacrifices or burnt offerings that you offer all the time.
^{Verse 9}I do not require bulls from your barns or goats from your pens,
^{Verse 10}for I own all the animals of the forest, and the cattle on a thousand hills belong to me.
^{Verse 11}I know every bird of the mountains; all living things in the fields are mine.
^{Verse 12}If I were hungry, I wouldn't tell you, for the earth and everything in it are mine.
^{Verse 13}Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?
^{Verse 14}Give an offering of thanks to God; keep the promises you made to the Most High,
^{Verse 15}and call on me when you're in trouble. I will rescue you, and you will thank me.”
^{Verse 16}But to the wicked God says, “What's the point of mechanically repeating my laws or making empty promises about obeying the agreement?
^{Verse 17}You hate my discipline,⁺and you toss my words away, leaving them behind you.
^{Verse 18}When you see people stealing, you admire them; you associate with adulterers.
^{Verse 19}With your mouth you say evil things; you use your tongue to spread lies.
^{Verse 20}You sit there and speak against your brother, slandering your own mother's son.
^{Verse 21}I kept quiet when you did these things. You thought I was someone just like you. But now I confront you, and bring my charges against you.
^{Verse 22}Think again, you people who dismiss God, or I will tear you apart, and no one will be able to save you.
^{Verse 23}But those who give an offering of thanks honor me, and to those who follow the right I will show them the salvation of God.”