PSALMS.
Chapter 81.
For the choir director; on the gittith;  by Asaph. Sing joyfully to God, our strength. Shout happily to the God of Jacob. 
Begin a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music. 
Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the new moon, on the day of the full moon, on our festival days. 
This is a law for Israel, a legal decision from the God of Jacob. 
These are the instructions God set in place for Joseph when Joseph rose to power over Egypt. I heard a message I did not understand: 
“I removed the burden from his shoulder. His hands were freed from the basket. 
When you were in trouble, you called out ⌞to me⌟, and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your ⌞loyalty⌟ at the oasis of Meribah. Selah 
Listen, my people, and I will warn you. Israel, if you would only listen to me! 
Never keep any strange god among you. Never worship a foreign god. 
I am the Lord your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. 
“But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me. 
So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice. 
If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me! 
I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes. 
Those who hate the Lord would cringe in front of him, and their time ⌞for punishment⌟ would last forever. 
But I would feed Israel with the finest wheat and satisfy them with honey from a rock.” 
