God the Righteous Judge

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 TheMighty One, God theLord,

Has spoken and called the earth

From the rising of the sun to its going down.

2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,

God will shine forth.

3 Our God shall come, and shall not keep silent;

A fire shall devour before Him,

And it shall be very tempestuous all around Him.

4 He shall call to the heavens from above,

And to the earth, that He may judge His people:

5 “GatherMy saints together to Me,

Those who have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

6 Let theheavens declare His righteousness,

ForGod HimselfisJudge.

Selah

7 “Hear, O My people, and I will speak,

O Israel, and I will testify against you;

IamGod, your God!

8 I will not rebuke youfor your sacrifices

Or your burnt offerings,

Whicharecontinually before Me.

9 I will not take a bull from your house,

Norgoats out of your folds.

10 For every beast of the forestisMine,

Andthe cattle on a thousand hills.

11 I know all the birds of the mountains,

And the wild beasts of the fieldareMine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you;

For the worldisMine, and all its fullness.

13 Will I eat the flesh of bulls,

Or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God thanksgiving,

Andpay your vows to the Most High.

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:

“Whatrighthave you to declare My statutes,

Or take My covenant in your mouth,

17 Seeing you hate instruction

And cast My words behind you?

18 When you saw a thief, youconsented with him,

And have been apartaker with adulterers.

19 You give your mouth to evil,

Andyour tongue frames deceit.

20 You sitandspeak against your brother;

You slander your own mother’s son.

21 Thesethingsyou have done, and I kept silent;

You thought that I was altogether like you;

ButI will rebuke you,

Andsetthemin order before your eyes.

22 “Now consider this, you whoforget God,

Lest I tearyouin pieces,

Andtherebenone to deliver:

23 Whoever offers praise glorifies Me;

Andto him who ordershisconductaright

I will show the salvation of God.”