Psalms 81
Psalm 81
A Call to Obedience
For the choir director: on the Gittith. Of Asaph.
1Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.23Lift up a song — play the tambourine, the melodious lyre, and the harp.4
5Blow the ram’s horn on the day of our feasts during the new moon and during the full moon.6
7For this is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.8
9He set it up as a decree for Joseph when he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard an unfamiliar language:10
11“I relieved his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from carrying the basket.12
13You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the Waters of Meribah.Selah14
15Listen, my people, and I will admonish you. Israel, if you would only listen to me!16
17There must not be a strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god.18
19I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.20
21“But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me.22
23So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans.24
25If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways,26
27I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.”28
29Those who hate the Lord would cower to him; their doom would last forever.30
31But he would feed Israel with the best wheat. “I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”32