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 Yahveh 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