The Mighty One Calls
A Psalmof Asaph.
The Mighty One,Godthe LORD,
speaksand summonsthe earth
from where the sun risestowhere it sets.
2From Zion,perfectin beauty,
Godshines forth.
3Our Godapproachesand will notbe silent!
Consumingfireprecedes Him,
and a tempestrages around Him.
4He summonsthe heavensabove,
and the earth,that He may judgeHis people:
5“Gatherto MeMy saints,
who madea covenantwith Meby sacrifice.”
6And the heavensproclaimHis righteousness,
forGodHimselfis Judge.
Selah
7“Hear,O My people,and I will speak,
O Israel,and I will testifyagainst you:
Iam God,your God.
8I do notrebukeyou foryour sacrifices,
and your burnt offeringsare everbefore Me.
9I have noneedfor a bullfrom your stall
or goatsfrom your pens,
10foreverybeastof the forestis Mine—
the cattleon a thousandhills.
11I knoweverybirdin the mountains,
and the creaturesof the fieldare Mine.
12IfI were hungry,I would nottellyou,
forthe worldis Mine,and the fullness thereof.
13Do I eatthe fleshof bulls,
or drinkthe bloodof goats?
14Sacrificea thank offeringto God,
and fulfillyour vowsto the Most High.
15Call upon Mein the dayof trouble;
I will deliver you,and you will honor Me.”
16To the wicked, however,Godsays,
“What righthave youto reciteMy statutes
and to bearMy covenantonyour lips?
17For youhateMy instruction
and castMy wordsbehind you.
18Whenyou seea thief,you befriendhim,
and throw in your lotwithadulterers.
19You unleashyour mouthfor evil
and unharnessyour tonguefor deceit.
20You sitand malignyour brother;
youslanderyour own mother’sson.
21You have donethese things,and I kept silent;
you thoughtI wasjust like you.
But now I rebuke you
and accuse youto your face.
22Nowconsiderthis,you who forgetGod,
lestI tear you to pieces,
with no oneto rescue you:
23He who sacrificesa thank offeringhonors Me,
and to him who rightshis way,
I will showthe salvationof God.”
