= Psalm 81 * Please see [[nsv:license|License]] for Copyright notice and Licensing information. * [ [[Psalm_80|Previous]] | [[Psalm_82|Next]] ] == Psalm 81 1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. 2 Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. 3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. 4 For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. 5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not. 6 I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots. 7 Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah. 8 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; 9 There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god. 10 I am the Lord thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. 11 But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. 12 So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels. 13 Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! 14 I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries. 15 The haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever. 16 He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee. == Notes == Cross Reference == Concordance == Commentary == Rashi ==== Verse 1 on the gittith A musical instrument that comes from Gath. ==== Verse 2 sound the shofar on Rosh Hashanah. ==== Verse 3 a pleasant harp with a lyre Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba says: The “kinnor” and the “nevel” are the same. Rabbi Simon says: The [number of] strings distinguishes one from the other. Why is it called “nevel”? Because it puts all other types of music to shame. ==== Verse 4 on the New Moon When the moon renews itself. on the appointed time The appointed day for it, and so (Prov. 7:20): “on the appointed day (בכסה) he will come home”; to the appointed time that had been fixed. ==== Verse 5 For it is a statute for Israel from the Holy One, blessed be He, to sound the shofar on that day, the day of the judgment of the Holy One, blessed be He. ==== Verse 6 As a testimony for Jehoseph He ordained it On Rosh Hashanah, Joseph went out of prison. [when] I understood a language that I had not known It is explained in tractate Sotah (36b) that [the angel] Gabriel taught him seventy languages. ==== Verse 7 from the cauldron From slave labor to cook the pots in the manner of other slaves. from the cauldron Heb. מדוד, a pot, as (I Sam. 2:14): “And he would thrust into the fire-pot or into the pot (הדוד).” ==== Verse 8 In distress, you called to Me, all of you. You called from the distress of the labor of the burdens of Egypt, and I released you. I answered you in secret with thunder You called in secret between Me and you, but I answered you with a voice of thunder; I made known My might and My awesome deeds in public. I tried you by the waters of Meribah, forever Although it was revealed and tried before Me that you were destined to provoke Me with the waters of Meribah. So it was taught in Mechilta (Exod. 19:2). ==== Verse 9 Hearken, My people Since I did all this for you, it is fitting for you to hearken to Me. ==== Verse 11 open your mouth wide to request of Me whatever your heart desires. and I shall fill it According to whatever you ask I will fill. ==== Verse 13 after their heart’s fantasies Heb. בשרירותלבם, after the views of their heart, as (above 5: 9): “because of those who lie in wait for me (שוררי).” ==== Verse 14 If only My people would hearken to Me Still, if they desired to return to Me and to hearken to Me... ==== Verse 15 In a short time I would subdue their enemies In a short time I would subdue their enemies. I would return My hand I would return my blow from upon you to lay it upon them, and then... ==== Verse 16 The enemies of the Lord would lie to Him, and their time would be [The time of] their retribution [would be] forever. ==== Verse 17 Then He would feed them Israel. and...from a rock He sated them with honey when they went in His ways, as the matter that is stated (Deut. 32:13): “He suckled them with honey from the rock.”