Psalm Fifty: God is Not Scared

Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God, the Lord,

    speaks and summons the earth

    from the rising of the sun to where it sets.

From Zion, perfect in beauty,

    God shines forth.

 

Our God comes

    and will not be silent;

a fire devours before him,

    and around him a tempest rages.

 

He summons the heavens above,

    and the earth, that he may judge his people:

 

“Gather to me this consecrated people,

    who made a covenant with me by sacrifice.”

 

And the heavens proclaim his righteousness,

    for he is a God of justice.

“Listen, my people, and I will speak;

    I will testify against you, Israel:

    I am God, your God.

 

I bring no charges against you concerning your sacrifices

    or concerning your burnt offerings, which are ever before me.

 

I have no need of a bull from your stall

    or of goats from your pens,

 

for every animal of the forest is mine,

    and the cattle on a thousand hills.

 

I know every bird in the mountains,

    and the insects in the fields are mine.

 

If I were hungry I would not tell you,

    for the world is mine, and all that is in it.

 

Do I eat the flesh of bulls

    or drink the blood of goats?

“Sacrifice thank offerings to God,

    fulfill your vows to the Most High,

 

and call on me in the day of trouble;

    I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

               But to the wicked person, God says:

“What right have you to recite my laws

    or take my covenant on your lips?

 

You hate my instruction

    and cast my words behind you.

 

When you see a thief, you join with him;

    you throw in your lot with adulterers.

 

You use your mouth for evil

    and harness your tongue to deceit.

 

You sit and testify against your brother

    and slander your own mother’s son.

 

When you did these things and I kept silent,

    you thought I was exactly like you.

But I now arraign you

    and set my accusations before you.

“Consider this, you who forget God,

    or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:

 

Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,

    and to the blameless I will show my salvation.”

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Something that I love to do is pray the Psalms. So often, they put to words what my heart is feeling. For the month of May, let's pray a portion of the Psalm (rewritten by me) every morning together: 


"Heavenly Father, this Psalm is such a perfect reminder of your goodness toward us. This virus does not scare you. It does not have you worried. And, you are not in a panic. You control all things and you have your hand on all things, including me! Lord, when I am feeling scared, worried, or panicked, would you remind me that you are in control and that you care for me? Would you help me to turn toward you and call on you in my day of trouble? Thank you Lord for hearing me and caring for me. Amen".