Psalm 81In Hebrew texts 81:1-16 is numbered 81:2-17.
For the director of music. According to gittith.Title: Probably a musical term Of Asaph.
1Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2Begin the music, strike the timbrel,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;
4this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5When God went out against Egypt,
he established it as a statute for Joseph.
I heard an unknown voice say:
6“I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
7In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.81:7 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
8Hear me, my people, and I will warn you—
if you would only listen to me, Israel!
9You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not worship any god other than me.
10I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11“But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts
to follow their own devices.
13“If my people would only listen to me,
if Israel would only follow my ways,
14how quickly I would subdue their enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
15Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
16But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”
Psalm 81
For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of Asaph.
1Sing joyfully to God! He gives us strength.
Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob!
2Let the music begin. Play the tambourines.
Play sweet music on harps and lyres.
3Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the New Moon feast.
Blow it again when the moon is full and the Feast of Booths begins.
4This is an order given to Israel.
It is a law of the God of Jacob.
5He gave it as a covenant law for the people of Joseph.
It was given when God went out to punish Egypt.
There I heard a voice I didn’t recognize.
6The voice said, “I removed the load from your shoulders.
I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets.
7You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you.
I answered you out of a thundercloud.
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8“My people, listen and I will warn you.
Israel, I wish you would listen to me!
9Don’t have anything to do with the gods of other nations.
Don’t bow down and worship any god other than me.
10I am the Lord your God.
I brought you up out of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
11“But my people wouldn’t listen to me.
Israel wouldn’t obey me.
12So I let them go their own stubborn way.
I let them follow their own sinful plans.
13“I wish my people would listen to me!
I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!
14Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control.
I would use my power against their attackers.
15Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear.
They would be punished forever.
16But you would be fed with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.”
