Psalms 81

Psalm 81#sn Psalm 81. The psalmist calls God’s people to assemble for a festival and then proclaims God’s message to them. The divine speech (vv. 6-16) recalls how God delivered the people from Egypt, reminds Israel of their rebellious past, expresses God’s desire for his people to obey him, and promises divine protection in exchange for obedience.

For the music director; according to the gittith style;#tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew term הַגִּתִּית (haggittit) is uncertain; it probably refers to a musical style or instrument. See the superscription to Ps 8. by Asaph.

1Shout for joy to God, our source of strength! Shout out to the God of Jacob!

2Sing a song and play the tambourine, the pleasant sounding harp, and the ten-stringed instrument!

3Sound the ram’s horn on the day of the new moon, and on the day of the full moon when our festival begins.

4For observing the festival is a requirement for Israel; it is an ordinance given by the God of Jacob.

5He decreed it as a regulation in Joseph, when he attacked the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I did not recognize.

6It said: “I removed the burden from his shoulder; his hands were released from holding the basket.

7In your distress you called out and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Selah)

8I said, ‘Listen, my people! I will warn you! O Israel, if only you would obey me!

9There must be no other god among you. You must not worship a foreign god.

10I am the Lord, your God, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!’

11But my people did not obey me; Israel did not submit to me.

12I gave them over to their stubborn desires; they did what seemed right to them.

13If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands!

14Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and attack their adversaries.”

15(May those who hate the Lord cower in fear before him! May they be permanently humiliated!)

16“I would feed Israel the best wheat, and would satisfy your appetite with honey from the rocky cliffs.”