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Psalm 50[a]

The Acceptable Sacrifice

A psalm of Asaph.

I

The God of gods, the Lord,
    has spoken and summoned the earth
    from the rising of the sun to its setting.(A)
From Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.(B)
Our God comes and will not be silent!
    Devouring fire precedes him,
    it rages strongly around him.(C)
He calls to the heavens above
    and to the earth to judge his people:
“Gather my loyal ones to me,
    those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”
The heavens proclaim his righteousness,
    for God himself is the judge.(D)
Selah

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 50 A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20).

Psalm 50

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)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 50:6 With a different word division of the Hebrew; Masoretic Text for God himself is judge
  2. Psalm 50:6 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.