Psalms 81

¹ To the chief Musician upon Gittith, [A Psalm] of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

² Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

³ Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

⁴ For this [was] a statute for Israel, [and] a law of the God of Jacob.

⁵ 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.

⁶ I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.

⁷ 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.

⁸ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

⁹ There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

¹⁰ I [am] the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

¹¹ But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.

¹² So I gave them up unto their own hearts’ lust: [and] they walked in their own counsels.

¹³ Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, [and] Israel had walked in my ways!

¹⁴ I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.

¹⁵ The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.

¹⁶ He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Table of Contents

Overview of Psalm 81

Psalm 81 is a hymn of praise and a call to worship, attributed to Asaph. It emphasizes the importance of worshiping God, recalling His past deliverance, and the consequences of turning away from Him. The chapter is structured around a call to worship, a reminder of God’s past actions, and a warning against disobedience.

Structure of Psalm 81

Verses 1-5: A Call to Worship
Verses 6-10: Remembrance of Deliverance
Verses 11-16: Warning Against Disobedience

Verses 1-5: A Call to Worship

The psalm begins with an invitation to joyful worship, emphasizing music and celebration.

Shouting for Joy: The psalmist calls the people to express their joy in God through loud praise.
Use of Instruments: The mention of the trumpet and lyre highlights the importance of music in worship.
Festival Observance: The psalm references the new moon and the appointed feasts, indicating the significance of communal worship.

Verses 6-10: Remembrance of Deliverance

In these verses, the psalmist recalls God’s past deliverance of Israel, particularly from Egypt.

God’s Voice: The emphasis on listening to God’s voice underscores the importance of obedience.
Removal of Burdens: God is portrayed as one who removes burdens, symbolizing freedom from oppression.
Provision: The mention of God providing water from the rock serves as a reminder of His sustenance.

Verses 11-16: Warning Against Disobedience

The final section serves as a warning against disobedience and the consequences of turning away from God.

Rejection of God: The psalmist laments that the people did not listen to God, leading to their downfall.
Consequences: The warning emphasizes that disobedience leads to a lack of blessings and fulfillment.
God’s Desire: The passage concludes with a poignant reminder that God desires His people to return to Him, promising abundance and satisfaction.

Thematic Elements

Joyful Worship: The chapter emphasizes the joy found in worshiping God through music and communal gatherings.
Historical Memory: The recollection of God’s past actions serves to remind the faithful of His power and faithfulness.
Obedience and Consequence: The warning against disobedience highlights the relationship between faithfulness to God and the blessings that follow.

Conclusion

Psalm 81 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of worship, the necessity of remembering God’s past deliverance, and the consequences of straying from His ways. It calls the faithful to rejoice, to listen, and to return to God, reinforcing the themes of joy, remembrance, and obedience.

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Andrew

I’m Andrew, and I write Learn Bible Daily to help you connect with God in a simple, real way — one verse at a time. I believe the Bible should feel like a conversation, not a textbook.

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