81:1 For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

81:2 Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre.

81:3 Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast;

81:4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

81:5 He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand.

81:6 He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

81:7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

81:8 "Hear, O my people, and I will warn you--if you would but listen to me, O Israel!

81:9 You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god.

81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

81:11 "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.

81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

81:13 "If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways,

81:14 how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

81:15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.

81:16 But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."