A psalm by Asaph.
50:1 El, God, the Lord speaks, and summons the earth to come from the east and west.
50:2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God comes in splendor.
50:3 Our God approaches and is not silent; consuming fire goes ahead of him and all around him a storm rages.
50:4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people.
50:5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice!”
50:6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah)
50:7 He says: “Listen my people! I am speaking! Listen Israel! I am accusing you! I am God, your God!
50:8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me.
50:9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds.
50:10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills.
50:11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine.
50:12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me.
50:13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats?
50:14 Present to God a thank-offering! Repay your vows to the Sovereign One!
50:15 Pray to me when you are in trouble! I will deliver you and vindicate you!”
50:16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
50:17 For you hate instruction and reject my words.