Psalm 81, NEW INTERNATIONAL READER’S VERSION
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1

Sing joyfully to God!  He gives us strength.
Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob!
 

2

Let the music begin.  Play the tambourines.
Play sweet music on harps and lyres.
 

3

Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the New Moon Feast.
Blow it again when the moon is full and
the Feast of Booths begins.
 

4

This is an order given to Israel.
It is a law of the God of Jacob.
 

5

He gave it as a covenant law for the people of Joseph
when God went out to punish Egypt.
There we heard a language we didn’t understand.
 

6

God said, “I removed the load from your shoulders.
I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets.
 

7

You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you.
I answered you out of a thundercloud.
I put you to the test at the waters of Meribah.
Selah
 

8

“My people, listen and I will warn you.
Israel, I wish you would listen to me!
 

9

Don’t have anything to do with the gods of other nations.
Don’t bow down and worship strange gods.
 

10

I am the Lord your God.
I brought you up out of Egypt.
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
 

11

“But my people wouldn’t listen to me.
Israel wouldn’t obey me.
 

12

So I let them go their own stubborn way.
I let them follow their own sinful plans.
 

13

“I wish my people would listen to me!
I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!
 

14

Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control.
I would use my power against their attackers.
 

15

Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear.
They would be punished forever.
 

16

But you would be fed with the finest wheat.
I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.”