Psalms 81:2-16 ▼

2 Sing a song and play the tambourine, the pleasant sounding harp, and the ten-stringed instrument!

3 Sound the ram's horn on the day of the new moon, and on the day of the full moon when our festival begins.

4 For observing the festival is a requirement for Israel; it is an ordinance given by the God of Jacob.

5 He decreed it as a regulation in Joseph, when he attacked the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I did not recognize.

6 It said: |I removed the burden from his shoulder; his hands were released from holding the basket.

7 In your distress you called out and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Selah)

8 I said, 'Listen, my people! I will warn you! O Israel, if only you would obey me!

9 There must be no other god among you. You must not worship a foreign god.

10 I am the LORD, your God, the one who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it!'

11 But my people did not obey me; Israel did not submit to me.

12 I gave them over to their stubborn desires; they did what seemed right to them.

13 If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands!

14 Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and attack their adversaries.|

15 (May those who hate the LORD cower in fear before him! May they be permanently humiliated!)

16 |I would feed Israel the best wheat, and would satisfy your appetite with honey from the rocky cliffs.|