Psalms 81:4

For this [was] a statute for Israel, [and] a law of the God of Jacob.

For this was a statute ^{H2706} for Israel ^{H3478}, and a law ^{H4941} of the God ^{H430} of Jacob ^{H3290}.

because this is a law for Isra'el, a ruling of the God of Ya'akov.

For this is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob.

Psalms 81:4 declares the divine origin and binding nature of the worship practices described in the preceding verses of this psalm. It underscores that the exuberant praise and the sounding of trumpets during specific feasts were not optional traditions but direct commandments from God to His people, Israel.

Context

Psalm 81 is a psalm of Asaph, likely intended for a public worship service, possibly during the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) or the Feast of Tabernacles. The psalm opens with a call to joyful worship and then transitions into a historical recounting of God's faithfulness to Israel, contrasting it with Israel's disobedience. Verse 4 serves as a foundational statement, asserting that the very acts of worship being called for are rooted in God's established statutes and laws for the nation of Israel.

Key Themes

Divine Authority: The verse emphasizes that the commands for worship originate directly from God. These are not human traditions but divine decrees, making them non-negotiable for Israel.
Covenant Obligation: Referring to God as "the God of Jacob" highlights His personal and covenantal relationship with Israel. This title, recalling God's promises to the patriarch Jacob (Genesis 28:13), reminds Israel of their special status and corresponding responsibilities to obey His laws.
Foundation of Worship: The passage establishes that true worship is not arbitrary but is prescribed by God. The specific feasts and their elements were part of God's revealed will for how His people were to honor Him.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "statute" is choq (חֹק), which refers to an ordinance, a fixed decree, or an established custom. It implies something carved out or prescribed. The word for "law" is mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), which denotes a judgment, an ordinance, or a just decree. Together, these terms emphasize the unchangeable, authoritative, and just nature of God's commands for Israel's worship and conduct. They were not suggestions but divine imperatives, reflecting God's character and His just governance.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalms 81:4 reminds us that worship is not merely an optional activity or a matter of personal preference, but a response to God's divine revelation and His inherent worth. Just as God gave specific statutes to Israel, He has provided principles for worship and life in the New Covenant through Christ. Our worship should be grounded in God's truth and His revealed will, not solely on human invention or cultural trends. It encourages us to understand the divine foundations of our faith and to joyfully obey the Lord in all aspects of our lives, knowing that His commands are always for our good and His glory (Deuteronomy 6:24).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

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