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Chapter 50

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A psalm of Asaph. ¹ The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken and summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

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From Zion God shines forth. perfect in beauty.

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Our God comes and will not be silent! Devouring fire precedes, storming fiercely round about.

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God summons the heavens above and the earth to the judgment of his people:

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"Gather my faithful ones before me, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

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The heavens proclaim divine justice, for God alone is the judge. Selah

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"Listen, my people, I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you; God, your God, am I.

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Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you, nor for your holocausts, set before me daily.

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I need no bullock from your house, no goats from your fold.

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For every animal of the forest is mine, beasts by the thousands on my mountains.

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I know every bird of the heavens; the creatures of the field belong to me.

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Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for mine is the world and all that fills it.

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Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

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Offer praise as your sacrifice to God; fulfill your vows to the Most High.

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Then call on me in time of distress; I will rescue you, and you shall honor me."

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But to the wicked God says: "Why do you recite my commandments and profess my covenant with your lips?

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You hate discipline; you cast my words behind you!

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When you see thieves, you befriend them; with adulterers you throw in your lot.

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You give your mouth free rein for evil; you harness your tongue to deceit.

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You sit maligning your own kin, slandering the child of your own mother.

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When you do these things should I be silent? Or do you think that I am like you? I accuse you, I lay the charge before you.

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"Understand this, you who forget God, lest I attack you with no one to rescue.

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Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me; to the obedient I will show the salvation of God."