A psalm of Asaph.

Adonai, the God of gods

speaks and summons the Earth

from where the sun rises to where it sets.

God shines forth out of Zion

 – the perfection of beauty.

Our God comes and is not silent.

A devouring fire is before God

and it rages mightily around God.

God calls to heaven above and earth below

to judge God’s people:

 “Gather my holy ones to Me,

those who make made a covenant with Me with a sacrifice.”

The heavens declare God’s righteousness,

because God alone is judge.

Selah.

“Listen, my people, and I will speak,

I will testify against you, Israel:

I am God, your God.

I don’t rebuke you for your sacrifices

or your burnt offerings, which are always before Me.

I don’t need a bowl from your household

or goats from your pens

because every forest animal is Mine,

along with the cattle on a thousand hills.

I know every bird in the mountains

 and all the creatures in the field are Mine.

I wouldn’t tell you if I were hungry

because the world and all it contains is Mine!

Do I eat the meat from bulls or drink goat’s blood?

Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

then honor your vows to the Most High.

Call upon me on a day of trouble

– I will rescue you and you will honor Me.”

However, God says to the wicked

“Why are you reciting My laws

and talking about My covenant?

You hate discipline

and throw My words behind you.

You are pleased when you see a thief

and you hang out with adulterers.

You use your mouth to unleash evil,

and you have harnessed your tongue to deceit.

You sit and testify against your sibling,

slandering your own mother’s child.

Should I keep silent about what you have done?

You thought I was the same as you

– but I rebuke you

and lay out the case before your eyes.

You who forgot God – consider this,

or I will tear you to shreds

with nobody to save you.

A sacrifice of praise gives honor,

and whoever is disciplined in this way

will be shown My salvation.”