1 | <A Psalm. Of Asaph.> The God of gods, even the Lord, has sent out his voice, and the earth is full of fear; from the coming up of the sun to its going down. |
2 | From Zion, most beautiful of places, God has sent out his light. |
3 | Our God will come, and will not keep quiet; with fire burning before him, and storm-winds round him. |
4 | His voice will go out to the heavens and to the earth, for the judging of his people: |
5 | Let my saints come together to me; those who have made an agreement with me by offerings. |
6 | And let the heavens make clear his righteousness; for God himself is the judge. (Selah.) |
7 | Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God. |
8 | I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me. |
9 | I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks; |
10 | For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. |
11 | I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine. |
12 | If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth. |
13 | Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink? |
14 | Make an offering of praise to God; keep the agreements which you have made with the Most High; |
15 | Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me. |
16 | But to the sinner, God says, What are you doing, talking of my laws, or taking the words of my agreement in your mouth? |
17 | Seeing that you have no desire for my teaching, turning your back on my words. |
18 | When you saw a thief, you were in agreement with him, and you were joined with those who took other men's wives. |
19 | You have given your mouth to evil, your tongue to words of deceit. |
20 | You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son. |
21 | These things have you done, and I said nothing; it seemed to you that I was such a one as yourself; but I will make a protest against you, and put them in order before your eyes. |
22 | Now keep this in mind, you who have no memory of God, for fear that you may be crushed under my hand, with no one to give you help: |
23 | Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God. |