Psalms 81

1 For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.

For the music director. On the gittith. A psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.

2 Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Start the song! Play the tambourine, sweet-sounding lyre, and harp.

3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, and at full moon, to begin our festivals,

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

for this is a rule for Israel, a regulation of the God of Jacob.

5 He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

God made this statute for Joseph when he opposed the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I didn't know, saying:

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

“I took the load from your shoulders; I freed your hands from carrying heavy baskets.

7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

In your suffering you cried out to me, and I saved you. I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Selah)

8 Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!

My people, listen to my warnings! Israel, please listen to me!

9 There must be no strange god among you, nor shall you bow to a foreign god.

There must not be a strange god among you; you must never bow down to foreign gods and worship them.

10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth, and I will fill it.

I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

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

But my people didn't listen to me. Israel didn't want anything to do with me.

12 So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

So I sent them away to follow their stubborn thinking, living as they chose.

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

If only my people would listen to me; if only Israel would follow my ways!

14 how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!

It wouldn't take me long to conquer their enemies, to strike down their foes.

15 Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, and their doom would last forever.

Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, forever doomed.

16 But I would feed you the finest wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

But I would feed you the best wheat and satisfy you with honey from the rock.”