Psalms 81

1For the Leader; upon the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph. (81-2) Sing aloud unto God our strength; shout unto the God of Jacob. 2(81-3) Take up the melody, and sound the timbrel, the sweet harp with the psaltery. 3(81-4) Blow the horn at the new moon, at the full moon for our feast-day. 4(81-5) For it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5(81-6) He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, when He went forth against the land of Egypt. The speech of one that I knew not did I hear: 6(81-7) 'I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the basket. 7(81-8) Thou didst call in trouble, and I rescued thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah 8(81-9) Hear, O My people, and I will admonish thee: O Israel, if thou wouldest hearken unto Me! 9(81-10) There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any foreign god. 10(81-11) I am the LORD thy God, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt; open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11(81-12) But My people hearkened not to My voice; and Israel would none of Me. 12(81-13) So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, that they might walk in their own counsels. 13(81-14) Oh that My people would hearken unto Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! 14(81-15) I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn My hand against their adversaries. 15(81-16) The haters of the LORD should dwindle away before Him; and their punishment should endure for ever. 16(81-17) They should also be fed with the fat of wheat; and with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee.'