50An Asaph psalm. The God of gods—it's GOD!—speaks out, shouts, "Earth!" welcomes the sun in the east, farewells the disappearing sun in the west.H4210H623H410H430H3068H1696H7121H776H4217H8121H3996

2From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view.H6726H4359H3308H430H3313

3Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him.H430H935H2790H784H398H6440H3966H8175H5439

4He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court:H7121H8064H5920H776H1777H5971

5"Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me."H622H2623H3772H1285H2077

6The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge.H8064H5046H6664H430H8199H5542

7"Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak; Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial. This is God, your God, speaking to you.H8085H5971H1696H3478H5749H430H430

8I don't find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.H3198H2077H5930H8548

9But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds?H3947H6499H1004H6260H4356

10Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains.H2416H3293H929H505H2042

11I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends.H3045H5775H2022H2123H7704H5978

12If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine.H7456H559H8398H4393

13Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood?H398H1320H47H8354H1818H6260

14Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises,H2076H430H8426H7999H5088H5945

15And call for help when you're in trouble— I'll help you, and you'll honor me."H7121H3117H6869H2502H3513

16Next, God calls up the wicked: "What are you up to, quoting my laws, talking like we are good friends?H7563H430H559H5608H2706H5375H1285H6310

17You never answer the door when I call; you treat my words like garbage.H8130H4148H7993H1697H310

18If you find a thief, you make him your buddy; adulterers are your friends of choice.H7200H1590H7521H2506H5003

19Your mouth drools filth; lying is a serious art form with you.H7971H6310H7451H3956H6775H4820

20You stab your own brother in the back, rip off your little sister.H3427H1696H251H5414H1848H517H1121

21I kept a quiet patience while you did these things; you thought I went along with your game. I'm calling you on the carpet, now, laying your wickedness out in plain sight.H6213H2790H1819H1961H3198H6186H5869

22"Time's up for playing fast and loose with me. I'm ready to pass sentence, and there's no help in sight!H995H7911H433H2963H5337

23It's the praising life that honors me. As soon as you set your foot on the Way, I'll show you my salvation." A David psalm, after he was confronted by Nathan about the affair with Bathsheba.H2076H8426H3513H7760H1870H7200H3468H430