1. A psalm of Asaph.The God of gods, the Lord,has spoken and summoned the earthfrom the rising of the sun to its setting.
2. From Zion, the perfection of beauty,God shines forth.
3. Our God comes and will not be silent!Devouring fire precedes him,it rages strongly around him.
4. He calls to the heavens aboveand to the earth to judge his people:
5. “Gather my loyal ones to me,those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6. The heavens proclaim his righteousness,for God himself is the judge.Selah
7. “Listen, my people, I will speak;Israel, I will testify against you;God, your God, am I.
8. Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,your burnt offerings are always before me.
9. I will not take a bullock from your house,or he-goats from your folds.
10. For every animal of the forest is mine,beasts by the thousands on my mountains.
11. I know every bird in the heights;whatever moves in the wild is mine.
12. Were I hungry, I would not tell you,for mine is the world and all that fills it.
13. Do I eat the flesh of bullsor drink the blood of he-goats?
14. Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;fulfill your vows to the Most High.
15. Then call on me on the day of distress;I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.”
16. But to the wicked God says:“Why do you recite my commandmentsand profess my covenant with your mouth?
17. You hate discipline;you cast my words behind you!
18. If you see a thief, you run with him;with adulterers you throw in your lot.
19. You give your mouth free rein for evil;you yoke your tongue to deceit.
20. You sit and speak against your brother,slandering your mother’s son.
21. When you do these things should I be silent?Do you think that I am like you?I accuse you, I lay out the matter before your eyes.
22. “Now understand this, you who forget God,lest I start ripping apart and there be no rescuer.
23. Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me;I will let him whose way is steadfastlook upon the salvation of God.”