The Mighty One Calls

1A Psalm by Asaph. The Mighty One, God, Yahweh, speaks, and calls the earth from sunrise to sunset.

2Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines out.

3Our God comes, and does not keep silent. A fire devours before him. It is very stormy around him.

4He calls to the heavens above, to the earth, that he may judge his people:

5“Gather my saints together to me, those who have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

6The heavens shall declare his righteousness, for God himself is judge. Selah.

7“Hear, my people, and I will speak. Israel, I will testify against you. I am God, your God.

8I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices. Your burnt offerings are continually before me.

9I have no need for a bull from your stall, nor male goats from your pens.

10For every animal of the forest is mine, and the livestock on a thousand hills.

11I know all the birds of the mountains. The wild animals of the field are mine.

12If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

13Will I eat the meat of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?

14Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Pay your vows to the Most High.

15Call on me in the day of trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

16But to the wicked God says, “What right do you have to declare my statutes, that you have taken my covenant on your lips,

17since you hate instruction, and throw my words behind you?

18When you saw a thief, you consented with him, and have participated with adulterers.

19“You give your mouth to evil. Your tongue frames deceit.

20You sit and speak against your brother. You slander your own mother’s son.

21You have done these things, and I kept silent. You thought that I was just like you. I will rebuke you, and accuse you in front of your eyes.

22“Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you into pieces, and there be no one to deliver.

23Whoever offers the sacrifice of thanksgiving glorifies me, and prepares his way so that I will show God’s salvation to him.”