Psalm 81

¹ SING we merrily unto God our strength * make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.

² Take the psalm, bring hither the tabret * the merry harp with the lute.

³ Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon * even in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-day.

⁴ For this was made a statute for Israel * and a law of the God of Jacob.

⁵ This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony * when he came out of the land of Egypt, and had heard a strange language.

⁶ I eased his shoulder from the burden * and his hands were delivered from making the pots.

⁷ Thou calledst upon me in troubles, and I delivered thee * and heard thee what time as the storm fell upon thee.

⁸ I proved thee also * at the waters of strife.

⁹ Hear, O my people, and I will assure thee, O Israel * if thou wilt hearken unto me,

¹⁰ There shall no strange god be in thee * neither shalt thou worship any other god.

¹¹ I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt * open thy mouth wide, and I shall fill it.

¹² But my people would not hear my voice * and Israel would not obey me.

¹³ So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lusts * and let them follow their own imaginations.

¹⁴ O that my people would have hearkened unto me * for if Israel had walked in my ways,

¹⁵ I should soon have put down their enemies * and turned my hand against their adversaries.

¹⁶ The haters of the Lord should have been found liars * but their time should have endured for ever.

¹⁷ He should have fed them also with the finest wheat-flour * and with honey out of the stony rock should I have satisfied thee.