1 A psalm by Asaph. The LORD, the only true God, has spoken. He has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets. 2 God shines from Zion, the perfection of beauty. 3 Our God will come and will not remain silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm around him. 4 He summons heaven and earth to judge his people: 5 "Gather around me, my godly people who have made a pledge to me through sacrifices." 6 The heavens announce his righteousness because God is the judge. Selah 7 "Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God! 8 I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me. 9 But I will not accept another young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens. 10 Every creature in the forest, even the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine. 11 I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the world and all that it contains are mine. 13 Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Bring your thanks to God as a sacrifice, and keep your vows to the Most High. 15 Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me." 16 But God says to wicked people, "How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises! 17 You hate discipline. You toss my words behind you. 18 When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery. 19 You let your mouth say anything evil. Your tongue plans deceit. 20 You sit and talk against your own brother. You slander your own mother's son. 21 When you did these things, I remained silent. That made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see. 22 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you. 23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God." GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Quotations are used by permission. Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. | |