Psalm 81

A Call to Obedience

For the choir director: on the Gittith. Of Asaph.†

Sing for joy to God our strength;

shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.a

2Lift up a song — play the tambourine,

the melodious lyre, and the harp.a

3Blow the ram’s horn on the day of our feastsA

during the new moona

and during the full moon.

4For this is a statute for Israel,

an ordinance of the God of Jacob.a

5He set it up as a decree for Joseph

when he went throughoutA the land of Egypt.a

I heard an unfamiliar language:

6“I relieved his shoulder from the burden;

his hands were freed from carrying the basket.a

7You called out in distress, and I rescued you;

I answered you from the thundercloud.a

I tested you at the Waters of Meribah.b

Selah

8Listen, my people, and I will admonish you.

Israel, if you would only listen to me!a

9There must not be a strange god among you;

you must not bow down to a foreign god.a

10I am the Lord your God,

who brought you up from the land of Egypt.a

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.b

11“But my people did not listen to my voice;

Israel did not obey me.a

12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts

to follow their own plans.a

13If only my people would listen to me

and Israel would follow my ways,a

14I would quickly subdue their enemies

and turn my hand against their foes.”a

15Those who hate the Lord

would cower to him;a

their doom would last forever.b

16But he would feed IsraelA with the best wheat.

“I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”a