The Mighty One, God, the LORD,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to 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 this consecrated people,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,
for he is a God of justice.,
7 “Listen, my people, and I will speak;
I will testify against you, Israel:
I am God, your God.
8 I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices
or concerning 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 insects in the fields 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 on me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”
16 But to the wicked person, 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 sit and testify against your brother
and slander your own mother’s son.
21 When you did these things and I kept silent,
you thought I was exactly like you.
But I now arraign you
and set my accusations before you.
22 “Consider this, you who forget God,
or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
and to the blameless I will show my salvation. ”
Psalm 50
Jehovah, the almighty God
Is calling all mankind;
From east to west He summons them —
Not one is left behind.
His glory shines with radiant light
From Zion’s temple hill.
The roar of thunder, fire and storm
Is all about Him still.
To judgment He is calling them —
The people He has made
His own through covenantal love
And sacrificial blood.
With total fairness He will judge;
The angels know it well
That God is just, His judgments true,
(The demons, too, in hell).
“My people, listen, I am God;
Now this, the charge I lay:
‘Tis not the sacrifice of blood
You offer night and day.”
“I do not need your animals —
All mine, the woods and fields,
The cattle on a thousand hills,
The bounty that earth yields.”
“If I were hungry, I would ask
Not of your meagre fare,
For land and sea and sky are mine,
My wealth beyond compare.”
“I have no need of bulls and goats
To prove to me your love;
The thanks that gushes from your hearts
Would all my passion move.”
“I long for you to honour me
With promises fulfilled;
To trust me in your times of need,
On me your hope to build.”
“If you will offer from your heart
Your gratitude and praise,
I’ll rescue you and you will give
Me glory all your days.”
But God has only this to say
To men who live in sin —
“To speak my word is meaningless;
You hate my discipline.”
“You spend your time with evil men;
You lie and swear and curse;
Like muddy water, language flows
From you, and even worse.”
“You slander your own flesh and blood —
You thought I did not care;
But now ‘tis time for punishment —
Your wicked hearts laid bare.”
“Yet one more chance I give to you
To turn away from sin
Before I come in fiery wrath —
No one can help you then.”
“The highest praise you offer me,
A worthy sacrifice —
To walk my path, salvation gain
Is all that will suffice.”