The Father Calls Court to Order
A psalm of Asaph.
50 1 The Mighty One, our Father, has spoken; he summoned the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2 From Zion, perfect in beauty, our Father shines forth. 3 Our Father comes and will not keep silent; before him a fire devours, and around him a mighty storm. 4 He 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."
6 And the heavens declare his righteousness, for our Father himself is judge. Selah. 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." 8 "I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always before me." 9 "I will take no bull from your house, no goats from your pens." 10 "For every beast of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills." 11 "I know every bird of the mountains, and all that moves in the field is mine." 12 "If I were hungry I would not tell you, for the world is mine, and all it holds." 13 "Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?"
14 "Offer to our Father 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. 15 "And 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?" 17 "You hate discipline and throw my words away." 18 "When you see a thief, you join him, and you run with adulterers." 19 "You set your mouth on evil, and your tongue weaves deceit." 20 "You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son." 21 "These 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 our Father, or I will tear you apart with no one to rescue you." 23 "Whoever brings a thank offering honors me; and to the one who keeps to the right path I will show the salvation of our Father."
