Psalms 81

1 To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud to God our strength: make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.

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

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

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

5 This 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.

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

7 Thou didst call in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. (Selah)

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

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

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

11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would not obey me.

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

13 O that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

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

15 The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves to him: and their time should have endured for ever.

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