Psalms 50

1 The God of gods, even the Lord, has sent out his voice, and the earth is full of fear; from the coming up of the sun to its going down.

1Unto the end, a psalm of David,

2From Zion, most beautiful of places, God has sent out his light.

2When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had sinned with Bethsabee.

3Our God will come, and will not keep quiet; with fire burning before him, and storm-winds round him.

3Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

4His voice will go out to the heavens and to the earth, for the judging of his people:

4Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

5Let my saints come together to me; those who have made an agreement with me by offerings.

5For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

6And let the heavens make clear his righteousness; for God himself is the judge. (Selah.)

6To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.

7Give ear, O my people, to my words; O Israel, I will be a witness against you; I am God, even your God.

7For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.

8I will not take up a cause against you because of your offerings, or because of your burned offerings, which are ever before me.

8For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.

9I will take no ox out of your house, or he-goats from your flocks;

9Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

10For every beast of the woodland is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills.

10To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.

11I see all the birds of the mountains, and the beasts of the field are mine.

11Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

12If I had need of food, I would not give you word of it; for the earth is mine and all its wealth.

12Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

13Am I to take the flesh of the ox for my food, or the blood of goats for my drink?

13Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

14Make an offering of praise to God; keep the agreements which you have made with the Most High;

14Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

15Let your voice come up to me in the day of trouble; I will be your saviour, so that you may give glory to me.

15I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

16But to the sinner, God says, What are you doing, talking of my laws, or taking the words of my agreement in your mouth?

16Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

17Seeing that you have no desire for my teaching, turning your back on my words.

17O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

18When you saw a thief, you were in agreement with him, and you were joined with those who took other men's wives.

18For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

19You have given your mouth to evil, your tongue to words of deceit.

19A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

20You say evil of your brother; you make false statements against your mother's son.

20Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

21These things have you done, and I said nothing; it seemed to you that I was such a one as yourself; but I will make a protest against you, and put them in order before your eyes.

21Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.

22Now keep this in mind, you who have no memory of God, for fear that you may be crushed under my hand, with no one to give you help:

22(not in this translation)

23Whoever makes an offering of praise gives glory to me; and to him who is upright in his ways I will make clear the salvation of God.

23(not in this translation)