Psalm 50
1The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; *
he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to
its setting.
2Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, *
God reveals himself in glory.
3Our God will come and will not keep silence; *
before him there is a consuming flame,
and round about him a raging storm.
4He calls the heavens and the earth from above *
to witness the judgment of his people.
5″Gather before me my loyal followers, *
those who have made a covenant with me
and sealed it with sacrifice.”
6Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; *
for God himself is judge.
7Hear, O my people, and I will speak:
“O Israel, I will bear witness against you; *
for I am God, your God.
8I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; *
your offerings are always before me.
9I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, *
nor he-goats out of your pens;
10For all the beasts of the forest are mine, *
the herds in their thousands upon the hills.
11I know every bird in the sky, *
and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
12If I were hungry, I would not tell you, *
for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
13Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, *
or drink the blood of goats?
14Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving *
and make good your vows to the Most High.
15Call upon me in the day of trouble; *
I will deliver you, and you shall honor me.”
16But to the wicked God says: *
Why do you recite my statutes,
and take my covenant upon your lips;
17Since you refuse discipline, *
and toss my words behind your back?
18When you see a thief, you make him your friend, *
and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
19You have loosed your lips for evil, *
and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
20You are always speaking evil of your brother *
and slandering your own mother’s son.
21These things you have done, and I kept still, *
and you thought that I am like you.”
22″I have made my accusation; *
I have put my case in order before your eyes.
23Consider this well, you who forget God, *
lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
24Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving
honors me; *
but to those who keep in my way will I show
the salvation of God.”
A Prayer of General Thanksgiving
Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
