Psalms 81
Psalm 81 is a song that calls God’s people to be summoned and to obey God, addressed to the Israelite community, and it is divided into three parts overall.
- Verses 1–5: An invitation to the appointed times and worship (praise)
- Verses 6–10: Remembering God’s deliverance and the covenant
- Verses 11–16: God’s words to the people about their disobedience and the promise of restoration
This flow connects the place where we praise and remember God to God’s past grace and the possibility of restoration. Through the melody and the appointed times, it presents reasons to come before God, contrasting the consequences of disobedience with the blessing of obedience.
1verseFor the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. By Asaph. Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob!
2verseRaise a song, and bring here the tambourine, the pleasant lyre with the harp.
3verseBlow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4verseFor it is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5verseHe appointed it in Joseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.
6verse“I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket.
7verseYou called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.” Selah.
8verse“Hear, my people, and I will testify to you, Israel, if you would listen to me!
9verseThere shall be no strange god in you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.
10verseI am the LORD, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11verseBut my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.
12verseSo I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels.
13verseOh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
14verseI would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their adversaries.
15verseThe haters of the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.
16verseBut he would have also fed them with the finest of the wheat. I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”
The Central Meaning of the Text
Psalm 81 emphasizes the importance of restoring our relationship with God and obedience. God reminds Israel of the history of their deliverance from Egypt and repeatedly tells them to serve only Him. It points out that because of the people’s disobedience, a rich life has drifted away, yet it also promises that God still loves them and will fill them richly when they obey. In other words, this psalm reminds us that a wholehearted relationship with God brings blessing into human life.
Points for Reflection
- Let us look back and consider how faithfully I have been doing what it takes to trust and invite God into my life.
- Let us renew our faith in remembering and giving thanks for the grace and salvation God has given.
- Let us once again examine what influence disobedience and stubbornness are having on my life.
Applying It to Myself
- Today, check whether I am placing God first in my worship and daily life.
- With the expectation of the peace and guidance given when we obey God, I practice starting with small things.
