Psalm 50

1

Psalm 50 A psalm of Asaph.

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The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets.

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From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

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Our God comes and will not be silent; a fire devours before him, and around him a tempest rages.

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He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people:

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"Gather to me my consecrated ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

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And the heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah

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"Hear, O my people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God.

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I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

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I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens,

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for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

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I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine.

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If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

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Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

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Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High,

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and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

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But to the wicked, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?

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You hate my instruction and cast my words behind you.

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When you see a thief, you join with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.

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You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.

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You speak continually against your brother and slander your own mother's son.

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These things you have done and I kept silent; you thought I was altogether ^[1] like you. But I will rebuke you and accuse you to your face.

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"Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with none to rescue:

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He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him ^[2] the salvation of God."

1. [21] Or thought the `I AM' was
2. [23] Or and to him who considers his way I will show