Psalms Chapter 81
For the Choir Director. A Psalm of Asaph
Set to The Gittith
1 Sing to God your Strength;
make a joyful sound to Jacob’s God.
2 Sing, beat the tambourine,
pluck the lyre and harp.
3 At the new moons blow your ram’s horn,
at the full moon and on your festival days.
4 It’s a statute for Israel,
an ordinance from Jacob’s God.
5 He established it as a Testimony in Joseph
when he displayed his power all over Egypt.
I heard a language I didn’t know, saying.
Ps 81:1-5
6 “I’ll take the burden off your shoulders
and free you from heavy labor.
7 You cried out in trouble, and I rescued you;
I answered you while I concealed myself in a thundercloud;
I tested you when you had no water at Meribah.
8 Listen, my people, when I admonish you;
Israel, if only you’ll listen!
9 There’s to be no foreign god among you;
don’t worship any alien deity.
10 I’m the LORD your God
who brought you out of Egypt.
Open your mouth, and I’ll fill it.”
Ps 81:6-10
11 “But my people ignored me;
Israel wouldn’t obey.
12 So I let them follow their stubborn heart
and go after their own devices.
13 If only they’d listen!
If Israel would just follow my ways,
14I’d quickly subdue their enemies;
I’d turn my hand against their foes,
15I’d doom forever
those who hate me while pretending to obey me.
16 I want to feed you with the finest wheat
and satisfy you with wild honey from the rocky cliffs.”
Ps 81:11-16