Psalms81

Psalms 81 begins with a vibrant call to joyful worship of God, emphasizing the use of musical instruments on solemn feast days, as this was a statute for Israel. The psalm then transitions to God's voice, recounting His deliverance of Israel from Egyptian bondage and lamenting their subsequent disobedience. God expresses a deep desire for His people to hearken to Him, promising abundant blessings and victory over enemies if they would walk in His ways.

Call to Joyful Worship

1
To the Overseer. --`On the Gittith.' By Asaph. Cry aloud to God our strength, Shout to the God of Jacob.
2
Lift up a song, and give out a timbrel, A pleasant harp with psaltery.
3
Blow in the month a trumpet, In the new moon, at the day of our festival,
4
For a statute to Israel it is , An ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5
A testimony on Joseph He hath placed it, In his going forth over the land of Egypt. A lip, I have not known--I hear.

God Recalls the Exodus Deliverance

6
From the burden his shoulder I turned aside, His hands from the basket pass over.
7
In distress thou hast called and I deliver thee, I answer thee in the secret place of thunder, I try thee by the waters of Meribah. Selah.

The Divine Command: Listen and Obey

8
Hear, O My people, and I testify to thee, O Israel, if thou dost hearken to me:
9
There is not in thee a strange god, And thou bowest not thyself to a strange god.
10
I am Jehovah thy God, Who bringeth thee up out of the land of Egypt. Enlarge thy mouth, and I fill it.

Consequences of Disobedience and Missed Blessings

11
But, My people hearkened not to My voice, And Israel hath not consented to Me.
12
And I send them away in the enmity of their heart, They walk in their own counsels.
13
O that My people were hearkening to Me, Israel in My ways would walk.
14
As a little thing their enemies I cause to bow, And against their adversaries I turn back My hand,
15
Those hating Jehovah feign obedience to Him, But their time is--to the age.
16
He causeth him to eat of the fat of wheat, And with honey from a rock I satisfy thee!
Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options