1 A psalm of Asaph.The God of gods, the Lord,has spoken and summoned the earthfrom the rising of the sun to its setting.
2 From Zion, the perfection of beauty,God shines forth.
3 Our God comes and will not be silent!Devouring fire precedes him,it rages strongly around him.
4 He calls to the heavens aboveand to the earth to judge his people:
5 “Gather my loyal ones to me,those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
6 The heavens proclaim his righteousness,for God himself is the judge.Selah
7 “Listen, my people, I will speak;Israel, I will testify against you;God, your God, am I.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you,your burnt offerings are always before me.
9 I will not take a bullock from your house,or he-goats from your folds.
10 For every animal of the forest is mine,beasts by the thousands on my mountains.
11 I know every bird in the heights;whatever moves in the wild is mine.
12 Were I hungry, I would not tell you,for mine is the world and all that fills it.
13 Do I eat the flesh of bullsor drink the blood of he-goats?
14 Offer praise as your sacrifice to God;fulfill your vows to the Most High.
15 Then call on me on the day of distress;I will rescue you, and you shall honor me.”
16 But to the wicked God says:“Why do you recite my commandmentsand profess my covenant with your mouth?
17 You hate discipline;you cast my words behind you!
18 If you see a thief, you run with him;with adulterers you throw in your lot.
19 You give your mouth free rein for evil;you yoke your tongue to deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother,slandering your mother’s son.
21 When you do these things should I be silent?Do you think that I am like you?I accuse you, I lay out the matter before your eyes.
22 “Now understand this, you who forget God,lest I start ripping apart and there be no rescuer.
23 Those who offer praise as a sacrifice honor me;I will let him whose way is steadfastlook upon the salvation of God.”