O Come (95)

The `Mighty One_, God, the / LORD~, speaks,

and `calls the earth_ from the rising of the sun_ / to its setting.

`Out of Zion, the perfection / of~ beauty,

`God_ / shines~ out.

`Our God comes_, and does / not keep silent.

A `fire devours be / fore~ him. • • A `storm rages a / round~ him.

`He calls to the heavens / a~ bove,

`to the earth, that he may / judge his people:

(Ref)

`“Gather my_ consecrated people / to~ me,

`those who have_ made a covenant with me by / sacrifice.”

The `heavens shall declare his / righteousness,

for `God him / self is judge.

Selah.

`“Hear, my people, and_ / I will speak.

`Israel_, I will testify against you. I am God_, / your~ God.

`I do not rebuke you for your / sacrifices.

`Your burnt offerings are always be_ / fore~ me.

`I have no need for a bull_ / from your stall,

nor `male goats / from your pens.

For `ev’ry animal_ of the forest / is~ mine,

`and the livestock on a / thousand hills.

(Ref)

`I know all the birds_ / of the mountains.

The `wild_ animals_ of the / field are mine.

If `I were hungry, I_ / would not tell you,

`for the world is mine, and all_ / that is in it. +

`Will I eat the / meat of bulls,

or `drink the / blood of goats?

`Offer to_ God the sacrifice of / thanks~ giving.

`Pay your vows_ to the / Most~ High.

`Call on me_ in the / day of trouble.

`I_ will deliver you, and you will / honor me.”

But `to the wicked / God~ says,

`“What right do you have_ to declare my statutes, and to take my covenant_ / on your lips?

`You_ / hate instruction,

and `cast my words be / hind~ you.

(Ref)

`When you see a thief, you / join with him,

`and keep company_ with a / dulterers.

You `give your / mouth to evil.

Your `tongue_ / frames deceit. +

You `sit and speak a / gainst your brother.

You `slander your own / mother’s son.

`You have done these things, and / I kept silent.

You `thought that I was / just like you.

`I_ will re / buke~ you, 

`and present the case be / fore your eyes. 

`Now consider this, you who for / get~ God,

`lest I tear_ you apart, and there be no one / to deliver.

`Those who of_ fer the sacrifice of thanks_ giving / honor me,

and `to the blameless I will show the sal_ vation / of~ God.”