Psalm 81

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.

1Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.footnote a

2Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

3Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

4For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

5This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.footnote b

6I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.footnote c

7Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.footnote d

8Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

9There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

10I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

12So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.footnote e

13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

14I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

15The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.footnote f

16He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.footnote g

Sing for Joy to God Our Strength

For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph.

1Sing for joy to God our strength;make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. 2Lift up a song, strike the tambourine,play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre. 3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,and at the full moon on the day of our Feast. 4For this is a statute for Israel,an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5He ordained it as a testimony for Josephfootnote awhen he went out over the land of Egypt,where I heard an unfamiliar language:

6“I relieved his shoulder of the burden;his hands were freed from the basket. 7You called out in distress, and I rescued you;I answered you from the cloud of thunder;I tested you at the waters of Meribah.footnote bSelah 8Hear, O My people, and I will warn you:O Israel, if only you would listen to Me! 9There must be no strange god among you,nor shall you bow to a foreign god. 10I am the LORD your God,who brought you up out of Egypt.Open wide your mouth,and I will fill it.

11But My people would not listen to Me,and Israel would not obey Me. 12So I gave them up to their stubborn heartsto follow their own devices. 13If only My people would listen to Me,if Israel would follow My ways, 14how soon I would subdue their enemiesand turn My hand against their foes! 15Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience,and their doom would last forever. 16But I would feed you the finest wheat;with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”