The Book of Psalms

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.(a)

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

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

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

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.(b)

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.(c)

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

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

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

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

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their own counsels.(e)

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

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

The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.(f)

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

(a)81:1 of Asaph: or, for Asaph

(b)81:5 through: or, against

(d)81:7 Meribah: or, Strife

(e)81:12 unto…: or, to the hardness of their hearts, or, imagination

(f)81:15 submitted…: or, yielded feigned obedience: Heb. lied

(g)81:16 finest…: Heb. fat of wheat

Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob!

Raise a song, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant lyre with the harp.

Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.

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

He appointed it in Joseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.

“I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket.

You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.” Selah.

“Hear, my people, and I will testify to you, Israel, if you would listen to me!

There shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.

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

But my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.

So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels.

Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their adversaries.

The haters of the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.

But he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”