[1] A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets. [2] From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. [3] Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him. [4] He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that He may judge His people: [5] “Gather to Me My saints, 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, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me. [9] I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, [10] for every beast of the forest is Mine —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 the fullness thereof. [13] Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? [14] Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. [15] Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” [16] To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? [17] For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you. [18] When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers. [19] You unleash your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit. [20] You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. [21] You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face. [22] Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: [23] He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rightly orders his way, I will show the salvation of God.”
