The Father Calls Court to Order
A psalm of Asaph.
Our Father convenes court and testifies against his own people. His complaint is not too few sacrifices — he owns every animal alive — but worship from people who recite his covenant while running with thieves. He wants thanks and a changed road.
50 1The Mighty One, our Father, has spoken; he summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2From Zion, perfect in beauty, our Father shines forth. 3Our Father comes and will not keep silent; before him a fire devours, and around him a mighty storm. 4He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that he may judge his people.
5"Gather to me my faithful ones, who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
6And the heavens declare his righteousness, for our Father himself is judge. a a v6 Selah is a liturgical or musical notation, likely indicating a pause or interlude; its exact meaning is uncertain.
7"Hear, my people, and I will speak; Israel, I will testify against you: I am your Father. 8I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always before me. 9I will take no bull from your house, no goats from your pens. 10For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on 1,000 hills. 11I know every bird of the mountains, and all that moves in the field is mine. 12If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all it holds. 13Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?'
14"Offer to me a thank offering, and pay your vows to the Most High. b b v14 A 'thank offering' was a voluntary sacrifice presented at the temple as an act of grateful worship. 15And call on me when you are in trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.'
16"But to the wicked our Father says: 'What right have you to recite my decrees, or speak my covenant with your lips? 17You hate discipline and throw my words away. 18When you see a thief, you join him, and you run with adulterers. 19You set your mouth on evil, and your tongue weaves deceit. 20You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son. 21These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you, and lay the charge before your eyes.'
22"Understand this now, you who forget me, or I will tear you apart with no one to rescue you. 23Whoever brings a thank offering honors me; and to the one who keeps to the right path I will show my salvation."
