God

he calls to the heavens above and to earth, in order to judge his people.

"Gather to me my faithful, those who made a covenant with me by sacrifice."

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, for God himself is judge. (Selah)

"Listen, my people, I am speaking: Isra'el, I am testifying against you, I, God, your God.

I am not rebuking you for your sacrifices; your burnt offerings are always before me.

I have no need for a bull from your farm or for male goats from your pens;

for all forest creatures are mine already, as are the animals on a thousand hills;

I know all the birds in the mountains; whatever moves in the fields is mine.

If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is mine, and everything in it.

Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

Offer thanksgiving as your sacrifice to God, pay your vows to the Most High,

and call on me when you are in trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me."

But to the wicked God says: "What right do you have to proclaim my laws or take my covenant on your lips,

when you so hate to receive instruction and fling my words behind you?

When you do such things, should I stay silent? You may have thought I was just like you; but I will rebuke and indict you to your face.

Consider this, you who forget God, or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to save you.

"Whoever offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice honors me; and to him who goes the right way I will show the salvation of God."

For the leader. A psalm of David, when Natan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bat-Sheva: God, in your grace, have mercy on me; in your great compassion, blot out my crimes.

Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil from your perspective; so that you are right in accusing me and justified in passing sentence.

Still, you want truth in the inner person; so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart.

Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, so that the bones you crushed can rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my crimes.

Create in me a clean heart, God; renew in me a resolute spirit.

Don't thrust me away from your presence, don't take your Ruach Kodesh away from me.

Restore my joy in your salvation, and let a willing spirit uphold me.