A Song for a Festival (PSA 81:1-16)

[81:1] Shout for joy to God our defender; sing praise to the God of Jacob!

[81:2] Start the music and beat the tambourines; play pleasant music on the harps and the lyres.

[81:3] Blow the trumpet for the festival, when the moon is new and when the moon is full.

[81:4] This is the law in Israel, an order from the God of Jacob.

[81:5] He gave it to the people of Israel when he attacked the land of Egypt. I hear an unknown voice saying,

[81:6] “I took the burdens off your backs; I let you put down your loads of bricks.

[81:7] When you were in trouble, you called to me, and I saved you. From my hiding place in the storm, I answered you. I put you to the test at the springs of Meribah.

[81:8] Listen, my people, to my warning; Israel, how I wish you would listen to me!

[81:9] You must never worship another god.

[81:10] I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth, and I will feed you.

[81:11] “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not obey me.

[81:12] So I let them go their stubborn ways and do whatever they wanted.

[81:13] How I wish my people would listen to me; how I wish they would obey me!

[81:14] I would quickly defeat their enemies and conquer all their foes.

[81:15] Those who hate me would bow in fear before me; their punishment would last forever.

[81:16] But I would feed you with the finest wheat and satisfy you with wild honey.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *