Psalm 81

For the music director. On the gittith. A psalm of Asaph.

1Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.

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

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

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

5God made this statute for Joseph when he opposed the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I didn't know, saying:1

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

7In 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.2 Selah.

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

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

10I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.3

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

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

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

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

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

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