Psalms 81:1-16

Psalms 81:1-16 The Message (MSG)

A song to our strong God! a shout to the God of Jacob! Anthems from the choir, music from the band, sweet sounds from lute and harp, Trumpets and trombones and horns: it’s festival day, a feast to God! A day decreed by God, solemnly ordered by the God of Jacob. He commanded Joseph to keep this day so we’d never forget what he did in Egypt. I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me: “I took the world off your shoulders, freed you from a life of hard labor. You called to me in your pain; I got you out of a bad place. I answered you from where the thunder hides, I proved you at Meribah Fountain. “Listen, dear ones—get this straight; O Israel, don’t take this lightly. Don’t take up with strange gods, don’t worship the popular gods. I’m GOD, your God, the very God who rescued you from doom in Egypt, Then fed you all you could eat, filled your hungry stomachs. “But my people didn’t listen, Israel paid no attention; So I let go of the reins and told them, ‘Run! Do it your own way!’ “Oh, dear people, will you listen to me now? Israel, will you follow my map? I’ll make short work of your enemies, give your foes the back of my hand. I’ll send the GOD-haters cringing like dogs, never to be heard from again. You’ll feast on my fresh-baked bread spread with butter and rock-pure honey.”

Psalms 81:1-16 King James Version (KJV)

Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, In the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, And a law of the God of Jacob. 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. I removed his shoulder from the burden: His hands were delivered from the pots. 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. Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There shall no strange god be in thee; Neither shalt thou worship any strange god. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people would not hearken to my voice; And Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: And they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, And Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued their enemies, And turned my hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: But their time should have endured for ever. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: And with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Psalms 81:1-16 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)

Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob. Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast day. For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. He established it for a testimony in Joseph When he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not know: “I relieved his shoulder of the burden, His hands were freed from the basket. You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me! Let there be no strange god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I, the LORD, am your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. “But My people did not listen to My voice, And Israel did not obey Me. So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices. Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would quickly subdue their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries. Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him, And their time of punishment would be forever. But I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalms 81:1-16 New Century Version (NCV)

Sing for joy to God, our strength; shout out loud to the God of Jacob. Begin the music. Play the tambourines. Play pleasant music on the harps and lyres. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, when the moon is full, when our feast begins. This is the law for Israel; it is the command of the God of Jacob. He gave this rule to the people of Joseph when they went out of the land of Egypt. I heard a language I did not know, saying: “I took the load off their shoulders; I let them put down their baskets. When you were in trouble, you called, and I saved you. I answered you with thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.Selah My people, listen. I am warning you. Israel, please listen to me! You must not have foreign gods; you must not worship any false god. I, the LORD, am your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will feed you. “But my people did not listen to me; Israel did not want me. So I let them go their stubborn way and follow their own advice. I wish my people would listen to me; I wish Israel would live my way. Then I would quickly defeat their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the LORD would bow before him. Their punishment would continue forever. But I would give you the finest wheat and fill you with honey from the rocks.”

Psalms 81:1-16 American Standard Version (ASV)

Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Raise a song, and bring hither the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast-day. For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language that I knew not. I removed his shoulder from the burden: His hands were freed from the basket. 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 Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wouldest hearken unto me! There shall no strange god be in thee; Neither shalt thou worship any foreign god. I am Jehovah thy God, Who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt: Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my people hearkened not to my voice; And Israel would none of me. So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, That they might walk in their own counsels. Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries. The haters of Jehovah should submit themselves unto him: But their time should endure for ever. He would feed them also with the finest of the wheat; And with honey out of the rock would I satisfy thee.

Psalms 81:1-16 New International Version (NIV)

Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre. Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival; this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say: “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel! You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it. “But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes! Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever. But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalms 81:1-16 New King James Version (NKJV)

Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob. Raise a song and strike the timbrel, The pleasant harp with the lute. Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob. This He established in Joseph as a testimony, When He went throughout the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language I did not understand. “I removed his shoulder from the burden; His hands were freed from the baskets. You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me! There shall be no foreign god among you; Nor shall you worship any foreign god. I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. “But My people would not heed My voice, And Israel would have none of Me. So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels. “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn My hand against their adversaries. The haters of the LORD would pretend submission to Him, But their fate would endure forever. He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat; And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.”

Psalms 81:1-16 Amplified Bible (AMP)

Sing aloud to God our strength; Shout for joy to the God of Jacob (Israel). Raise a song, sound the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, At the full moon, on our feast day. For this is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob. He established it for a testimony in Joseph When He went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard the language [of One whom] I did not know, saying, ¶“I removed the burden from his shoulder; His hands were freed from the basket. “You called in [the time of] trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. [Num 20:3, 13, 24] Selah. “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you— O Israel, if you would listen to Me! “Let there be no strange god among you, Nor shall you worship any foreign god. “I am the LORD your God, Who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. ¶“But My people would not listen to My voice, And Israel did not [consent to] obey Me. “So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in [the path of] their own counsel. [Acts 7:42, 43; 14:16; Rom 1:24, 26] “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! “Then I would quickly subdue and humble their enemies And turn My hand against their adversaries; Those who hate the LORD would pretend obedience to Him and cringe before Him, And their time of punishment would be forever. “But I would feed Israel with the finest of the wheat; And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Psalms 81:1-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. Sing! Beat the tambourine. Play the sweet lyre and the harp. Blow the ram’s horn at new moon, and again at full moon to call a festival! For this is required by the decrees of Israel; it is a regulation of the God of Jacob. He made it a law for Israel when he attacked Egypt to set us free. I heard an unknown voice say, “Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks. You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. Interlude “Listen to me, O my people, while I give you stern warnings. O Israel, if you would only listen to me! You must never have a foreign god; you must not bow down before a false god. For it was I, the LORD your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. “But no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes! Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him; they would be doomed forever. But I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock.”

Psalms 81:1-16 The Passion Translation (TPT)

Lord, just singing about you makes me strong! So I’ll keep shouting for joy to Jacob’s God, my champion. Let the celebration begin! I will sing with drum accompaniment and with the sweet sound of the harp and guitar strumming. Go ahead! Blow the jubilee trumpet to begin the feast! Blow it before every joyous celebration and festival. For God has given us these seasons of joy, days that the God of Jacob decreed for us to celebrate and rejoice. He has given these feasts to remind us of his triumph over Egypt, when he went out to wage war against them. I heard the message in an unknown tongue as he said to me, “I have removed your backbreaking burdens and have freed your hands from the hard labor and toil. You called out to me in your time of trouble, and I rescued you. I came down from the realm of the secret place of thunder, where mysteries hide. I came down to save you. I tested your hearts at the place where there was no water to drink, the place of your bitter argument with me.” Pause in his presence “Listen to me, my dear people. For I’m warning you, and you’d better listen well! For I hold something against you. Don’t ever be guilty of worshiping any other god but me. I am your only God, the living God. Wasn’t I the one who broke the strongholds over you and raised you up out of bondage? Open your mouth with a mighty decree; I will fulfill it now, you’ll see! The words that you speak, so shall it be! But my people still wouldn’t listen; my princely people would not yield to me. So I lifted my grace from off of their lives, and I surrendered them to the stubbornness of their hearts. For they were living according to their own selfish fantasies. O that my people would once and for all listen to me and walk faithfully in my footsteps, following my ways. Then and only then will I conquer your every foe and tell every one of them, ‘You must go!’ Those who hate my ways will cringe before me and their punishment will be eternal. But I will feed you with my spiritual bread. You will feast and be satisfied with me, feeding on my revelation-truth like honey dripping from the cliffs of the high place.”

Psalms 81:1-16 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)

Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob! Raise a song; sound the tambourine, the sweet lyre with the harp. Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day. For it is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob. He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a language I had not known: “I relieved your shoulder of the burden; your hands were freed from the basket. In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah Hear, O my people, while I admonish you! O Israel, if you would but listen to me! There shall be no strange god among you; you shall not bow down to a foreign god. 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. “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the LORD would cringe toward him, and their fate would last forever. But he would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”