Psalms 81

To the Overseer. --`On the Gittith.' By Asaph. Cry aloud to God our strength, Shout to the God of Jacob.

Lift up a song, and give out a timbrel, A pleasant harp with psaltery.

Blow in the month a trumpet, In the new moon, at the day of our festival,

For a statute to Israel it is, An ordinance of the God of Jacob.

A testimony on Joseph He hath placed it, In his going forth over the land of Egypt. A lip, I have not known--I hear.

From the burden his shoulder I turned aside, His hands from the basket pass over.

In distress thou hast called and I deliver thee, I answer thee in the secret place of thunder, I try thee by the waters of Meribah. Selah.

Hear, O My people, and I testify to thee, O Israel, if thou dost hearken to me:

There is not in thee a strange god, And thou bowest not thyself to a strange god.

I am Jehovah thy God, Who bringeth thee up out of the land of Egypt. Enlarge thy mouth, and I fill it.

But, My people hearkened not to My voice, And Israel hath not consented to Me.

And I send them away in the enmity of their heart, They walk in their own counsels.

O that My people were hearkening to Me, Israel in My ways would walk.

As a little thing their enemies I cause to bow, And against their adversaries I turn back My hand,

Those hating Jehovah feign obedience to Him, But their time is--to the age.

He causeth him to eat of the fat of wheat, And with honey from a rock I satisfy thee!