1
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A Psalm of Asaph. The Mighty One, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets. |
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2
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From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth. |
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3
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Our God approaches and will not be silent! Consuming fire precedes Him, and a tempest rages around Him. |
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4
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He summons the heavens above, and the earth, that He may judge His people: |
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5
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“Gather to Me My saints, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.” |
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6
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And the heavens proclaim His righteousness, for God Himself is Judge. Selah |
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7
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“Hear, O My people, and I will speak, O Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God. |
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8
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I do not rebuke you for your sacrifices, and your burnt offerings are ever before Me. |
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9
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I have no need for a bull from your stall or goats from your pens, |
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10
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for every beast of the forest is Mine—the cattle on a thousand hills. |
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11
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I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are Mine. |
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12
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If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof. |
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13
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Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? |
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14
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Sacrifice a thank offering to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High. |
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15
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Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.” |
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16
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To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? |
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17
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For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you. |
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18
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When you see a thief, you befriend him, and throw in your lot with adulterers. |
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19
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You unleash your mouth for evil and unharness your tongue for deceit. |
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20
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You sit and malign your brother; you slander your own mother’s son. |
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21
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You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face. |
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22
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Now consider this, you who forget God, lest I tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you: |
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23
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He who sacrifices a thank offering honors Me, and to him who rights his way, I will show the salvation of God.” |
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