Study Desk

A psalm of Asaph.

The Mighty One, God, the Lord ,^(a) speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to where it sets.^(b)

From Zion,^(c) perfect in beauty,^(d) God shines forth.^(e)

Our God comes^(f) and will not be silent;^(g) a fire devours^(h) before him,⁽ⁱ⁾ and around him a tempest^(j) rages.

He summons the heavens above, and the earth,^(k) that he may judge his people:^(l)

"Gather to me this consecrated people,^(m) who made a covenant⁽ⁿ⁾ with me by sacrifice."

And the heavens proclaim^(o) his righteousness, for he is a God of justice.^[a][b](p)

"Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify^(q) against you, Israel: I am God, your God.^(r)

I bring no charges^(s) against you concerning your sacrifices or concerning your burnt offerings,^(t) which are ever before me.

I have no need of a bull^(u) from your stall or of goats^(v) from your pens,^(w)

for every animal of the forest^(x) is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.^(y)

I know every bird^(z) in the mountains, and the insects in the fields^(aa) are mine.

If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world^(ab) is mine, and all that is in it.^(ac)

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

"Sacrifice thank offerings^(ad) to God, fulfill your vows^(ae) to the Most High,^(af)

and call^(ag) on me in the day of trouble;^(ah) I will deliver^(ai) you, and you will honor^(aj) me."

But to the wicked person, God says: "What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant^(ak) on your lips?^(al)

You hate^(am) my instruction and cast my words behind^(an) you.

When you see a thief, you join^(ao) with him; you throw in your lot with adulterers.^(ap)

You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.^(aq)

You sit and testify against your brother^(ar) and slander your own mother's son.

When you did these things and I kept silent,^(as) you thought I was exactly^[c] like you. But I now arraign^(at) you and set my accusations^(au) before you.

"Consider this, you who forget God,^(av) or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:^(aw)

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me, and to the blameless^[d] I will show my salvation.^(ax)"