Psalm 81

87.87 D

1Sing for joy to God our strength, to God of Jacob shout aloud!
2Strike the tambourine and play the harp and lyre—let praise abound!
3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and the Feast when moon is full.
4This is God’s decree for Isr’el—Jacob’s God did give this law.

5He established it for Joseph, as a statute He decreed;
When He went forth against Egypt, where the voice was strange indeed.
6He said, “I removed the burden; from hard tasks their hands set free;
7In distress, you called—I answered, and I tested you when free.Selah

8“Hear, O people, I will warn you—if you would but listen well;
9You shall not have gods among you—no strange god, O Israel!
10I’m the Lord your God who brought you up from Egypt by My hand;
Open wide your mouth—I’ll fill it, so that you can always stand.

11“But My people would not listen; they would not submit to Me.
12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, their own decree.
13If My people would but listen, if they’d follow in My ways,
14Then I would subdue their en’mies, turn their foes back in disgrace!

15“Those who hate the Lord would cringe before Him whom they should adore;
And their punishment would last forever and forevermore.
16But you would be fed with goodness, finest wheat I’d feed to you;
And sweet honey from the rock, I gladly would provide for you.”