1
For the chief musician. Set to the Gittith. Of Asaph.
(81-2) Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.
2
(81-3) Lift up the song, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the lute.
3
(81-4) Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
4
(81-5) For this is a statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.
5
(81-6) He appointed it for a testimony in Joseph, when he went out over the land of Egypt.
I heard a language that I knew not:
6
(81-7) “I removed his shoulder from the burden; his hands were freed from the basket.
7
(81-8) In trouble you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah.” Selah
8
(81-9) Hear, O my people, and I will warn you; O Israel, if you would but listen to me!
9
(81-10) There shall be no strange god among you, neither shall you worship any foreign god.
10
(81-11) I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11
(81-12) But my people would not listen to my voice, and Israel would have none of me.
12
(81-13) So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart; let them walk in their own counsels.
13
(81-14) Oh that my people would listen to 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 would submit themselves to him, and their doom would last forever.
16
(81-17) But he would feed them with the finest wheat, and with honey out of the rock I would satisfy you.”
🕊️🙏📖 Summary of Psalm 81 – “An Invitation to Hear God’s Voice”
Psalm 81 is a psalm of warning and celebration, likely sung at a feast such as Passover or the Feast of Trumpets.
The psalmist begins with a call to shout and praise the Lord, recalling deliverance from Egypt, then turns to God’s rebuke because the people would not listen to His voice.
This psalm becomes a deep invitation: if God’s people would obey, His blessing would be poured out.
📌 1. Praise to the Saving God (verses 1–5)
➡️ “Sing aloud to God our strength!”
➡️ Use harp, timbrel, and trumpet at the appointed time.
➡️ This is a reminder of the Lord’s command when He brought them out of Egypt.
🎯 Praise is not only an expression of joy — it is also a reminder of God’s saving work.
📌 2. The Lord Reminds Them of His Grace (verses 6–7)
➡️ “I removed his shoulder from the burden…”
➡️ The Lord heard their cry in Egypt and answered from the cloud.
➡️ He tested them at Meribah.
🎯 The Lord is faithful to help His people, even when they doubt and complain.
📌 3. God’s Call for His People to Listen (verses 8–12)
➡️ “Hear, O my people…”
➡️ The Lord commands them not to worship other gods.
➡️ But they would not listen — so the Lord gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts.
🎯 When people reject God’s voice, God allows them to walk in their own way.
📌 4. A Promise of Blessing if They Obey (verses 13–16)
➡️ “Oh that my people would listen to me…”
➡️ The Lord would quickly bring down their enemies.
➡️ He would give them the finest wheat and honey from the rock.
🎯 Obedience to God’s voice brings provision and victory.
📖 Main Lessons
- The Lord is worthy of praise because He has delivered His people from bondage
- Disobedience grows from a hard heart and closed ears
- The Lord desires to bless His people — but He does not force obedience
- Listening to and obeying God’s voice is the key to a blessed life
- The Lord wants relationship more than religious ritual
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
📖 John 10:27
“My sheep hear my voice…”
➡️ Jesus emphasizes the importance of hearing and following His voice, as in the call of the Lord in Psalm 81.
📖 Hebrews 3:15
“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts…”
➡️ A direct quotation from a context like this psalm — about rejecting God’s voice.
📖 Romans 10:17
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
➡️ Listening is the foundation of true faith.
📖 Matthew 23:37
“How often would I have gathered you… and you would not!”
➡️ The Lord’s sorrow when people reject His voice echoes again in the New Testament.
🕊️ “Sing aloud to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.” – Psalm 81:1
🕊️ “I removed his shoulder from the burden…” – Psalm 81:6
🕊️ “But my people would not listen to my voice.” – Psalm 81:11
🕊️ “Oh that my people would listen to me… soon I would subdue their enemies.” – Psalm 81:13–14
