<< Psalm 81 >>
GOD'S WORD ® Translation |  |
1 For the choir director; on the gittith; by Asaph. Sing joyfully to God, our strength. Shout happily to the God of Jacob.
2 Begin a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music.
3 Blow the ram's horn on the day of the new moon, on the day of the full moon, on our festival days.
4 This is a law for Israel, a legal decision from the God of Jacob.
5 These are the instructions God set in place for Joseph when Joseph rose to power over Egypt. I heard a message I did not understand:
6 "I removed the burden from his shoulder. His hands were freed from the basket.
7 When you were in trouble, you called out to me, and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your loyalty at the oasis of Meribah. Selah
8 Listen, my people, and I will warn you. Israel, if you would only listen to me!
9 Never keep any strange god among you. Never worship a foreign god.
10 I am the LORD your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11 "But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me.
12 So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice.
13 If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me!
14 I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes.
15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe in front of him, and their time for punishmentwould last forever.
16 But I would feed Israel with the finest wheat and satisfy them with honey from a rock."
