1. The God of gods, the Lord, speaks.He calls the earth from the rising to the setting sun.
2. God shines from Jerusalem,whose beauty is perfect.
3. Our God comes, and he will not be silent.A fire burns in front of him,and a powerful storm surrounds him.
4. He calls to the sky above and to the earththat he might judge his people.
5. He says, “Gather around, you who worship me,who have made an agreement with me, using a sacrifice.”
6. God is the judge,and even the skies say he is right. Selah
7. God says, “My people, listen to me;Israel, I will testify against you.I am God, your God.
8. I do not scold you for your sacrifices.You always bring me your burnt offerings.
9. But I do not need bulls from your stallsor goats from your pens,
10. because every animal of the forest is already mine.The cattle on a thousand hills are mine.
11. I know every bird on the mountains,and every living thing in the fields is mine.
12. If I were hungry, I would not tell you,because the earth and everything in it are mine.
13. I don’t eat the meat of bullsor drink the blood of goats.
14. Give an offering to show thanks to God.Give God Most High what you have promised.
15. Call to me in times of trouble.I will save you, and you will honor me.”
16. But God says to the wicked,“Why do you talk about my laws?Why do you mention my agreement?