Rashi on TanakhPsalms 81

on the gittith A musical instrument that comes from Gath.

sound the shofar on Rosh Hashanah.

a pleasant harp with a lyre Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba says: The “kinnor” and the “nevel” are the same. Rabbi Simon says: The [number of] strings distinguishes one from the other. Why is it called “nevel”? Because it puts all other types of music to shame.

on the New Moon When the moon renews itself.

on the appointed time The appointed day for it, and so (Prov. 7:20): “on the appointed day (בכסה) he will come home”; to the appointed time that had been fixed.

For it is a statute for Israel from the Holy One, blessed be He, to sound the shofar on that day, the day of the judgment of the Holy One, blessed be He.

As a testimony for Jehoseph He ordained it On Rosh Hashanah, Joseph went out of prison.

[when] I understood a language that I had not known It is explained in tractate Sotah (36b) that [the angel] Gabriel taught him seventy languages.

from the cauldron From slave labor to cook the pots in the manner of other slaves.

from the cauldron Heb. מדוד, a pot, as (I Sam. 2:14): “And he would thrust into the fire-pot or into the pot (הדוד).”

In distress, you called to Me, all of you. You called from the distress of the labor of the burdens of Egypt, and I released you.

I answered you in secret with thunder You called in secret between Me and you, but I answered you with a voice of thunder; I made known My might and My awesome deeds in public.

I tried you by the waters of Meribah, forever Although it was revealed and tried before Me that you were destined to provoke Me with the waters of Meribah. So it was taught in Mechilta (Exod. 19:2).

Hearken, My people Since I did all this for you, it is fitting for you to hearken to Me.

open your mouth wide to request of Me whatever your heart desires.

and I shall fill it According to whatever you ask I will fill.

after their heart’s fantasies Heb. בשרירותלבם, after the views of their heart, as (above 5: 9): “because of those who lie in wait for me (שוררי).”

If only My people would hearken to Me Still, if they desired to return to Me and to hearken to Me...

In a short time I would subdue their enemies In a short time I would subdue their enemies.

I would return My hand I would return my blow from upon you to lay it upon them, and then...

The enemies of the Lord would lie to Him, and their time would be [The time of] their retribution [would be] forever.

Then He would feed them Israel.

and...from a rock He sated them with honey when they went in His ways, as the matter that is stated (Deut. 32:13): “He suckled them with honey from the rock.”