Psalms — Chapter 81

For the leader; on the gittith. Of Asaph.

Sing joyously to God, our strength;raise a shout for the God of Jacob.

Take up the song,sound the hand-drum,the melodious lyre and harp.

Blow the horn on the new moon,on the full moon for our feast day.

For it is a law for Israel,a ruling of the God of Jacob—

imposed as a decree upon Josephwhen he went forth fromahe went forth from Or “[God] went forth against.” the land of Egypt;I heard a language that I knew not.

“I relieved his shoulder of the burden,his hands were freed from the basket.

In distress you called and I rescued you;I answered you from the secret place of thunderbsecret place of thunder Meaning of Heb. uncertain. I tested you at the Waters of Meribah.    Selah.

Hear, My people, and I will admonish you;Israel, if you would but listen to Me!

You shall have no foreign god,you shall not bow to an alien god.

I the ETERNAL am your Godwho brought you out of the land of Egypt;open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

But My people would not listen to Me,Israel would not obey Me.

So I let them go after their willful heartthat they might follow their own devices.

If only My people would listen to Me,if Israel would follow My paths,

then would I subdue their enemies at once,strike their foes again and again.”

Those who hate GOD shall cower;their doom shall be eternal.

[God] fed IsraelcIsrael Heb. “him.” the finest wheat;“I sated you with honey from the rock.”