Psalms 81

1For the leader; on the gittith. Of Asaph.

2Sing joyously to God, our strength;raise a shout for the God of Jacob.

3Take up the song,sound the hand-drum,the melodious lyre and harp.

4Blow the horn on the new moon,on the full moon for our feast day.

5For it is a law for Israel,a ruling of the God of Jacob—

6imposed as a decree upon Josephwhen he went forth from the land of Egypt;I heard a language that I knew not.

7“I relieved his shoulder of the burden,his hands were freed from the basket.

8In distress you called and I rescued you;I answered you from the secret place of thunder I tested you at the Waters of Meribah. Selah.

9Hear, My people, and I will admonish you;Israel, if you would but listen to Me!

10You shall have no foreign god,you shall not bow to an alien god.

11I the ETERNAL am your Godwho brought you out of the land of Egypt;open your mouth wide and I will fill it.

12But My people would not listen to Me,Israel would not obey Me.

13So I let them go after their willful heartthat they might follow their own devices.

14If only My people would listen to Me,if Israel would follow My paths,

15then would I subdue their enemies at once,strike their foes again and again.”

16Those who hate GOD shall cower;their doom shall be eternal.

17[God] fed Israel the finest wheat;“I sated you with honey from the rock.”