Psalms 81

1 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7 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)

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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