1 Psalm 81 A Call to Obedience For the choir director: on the 'Gittith'. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.2 Lift up a song — play the tambourine, the melodious lyre, and the harp.3 Blow the horn on the day of our feasts Lit feast during the new moon and during the full moon.4 For this is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.5 He set it up as a decree for Joseph when he went throughout Or went out against the land of Egypt. I heard an unfamiliar language:6 “I relieved his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from carrying the basket.7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the Waters of Meribah. Selah 8 Listen, my people, and I will admonish you. Israel, if you would only listen to me!9 There must not be a strange god among you; you must not bow down to a foreign god.10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.11 “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel did not obey me.12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans.13 If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways,14 I would quickly subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.”15 Those who hate the Lord would cower to him; their doom would last forever.16 But he would feed Israel Lit him with the best wheat. “I would satisfy you with honey from the rock.”