NET Bible

Psalm 50

^50:1 El, God, the Lord has spoken, and summoned the earth to come from the east and west. ^50:2 From Zion, the most beautiful of all places, God has come in splendor. ^50:3 “May our God come and not be silent.” Consuming fire goes ahead of him, and all around him a storm rages. ^50:4 He summons the heavens above, as well as the earth, so that he might judge his people. ^50:5 He says: “Assemble my covenant people before me, those who ratified a covenant with me by sacrifice.” ^50:6 The heavens declare his fairness, for God is judge. (Selah) ^50:7 He says: “Listen, my people. I am speaking! Listen, Israel. I am accusing you. I am God, your God! ^50:8 I am not condemning you because of your sacrifices, or because of your burnt sacrifices that you continually offer me. ^50:9 I do not need to take a bull from your household or goats from your sheepfolds. ^50:10 For every wild animal in the forest belongs to me, as well as the cattle that graze on a thousand hills. ^50:11 I keep track of every bird in the hills, and the insects of the field are mine. ^50:12 Even if I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and all it contains belong to me. ^50:13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? ^50:14 Present to God a thank offering. Repay your vows to the Most High. ^50:15 Pray to me when you are in trouble. I will deliver you, and you will honor me.” ^50:16 God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant? ^50:17 For you hate instruction and reject my words. ^50:18 When you see a thief, you join him; you associate with men who are unfaithful to their wives. ^50:19 You do damage with words, and use your tongue to deceive. ^50:20 You plot against your brother; you slander your own brother. ^50:21 When you did these things, I was silent, so you thought I was exactly like you. But now I will condemn you and state my case against you. ^50:22 Carefully consider this, you who reject God. Otherwise I will rip you to shreds and no one will be able to rescue you. ^50:23 Whoever presents a thank offering honors me. To whoever obeys my commands, I will reveal my power to deliver.”

^50:23 For the music director, a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David’s affair with Bathsheba.