Psalm 81 Shout for joy to God, our source of strength. Shout out to the God of Jacob. Sing a song and play the tambourine, the pleasant-sounding harp, and the ten-stringed instrument. Sound the ram's horn on the day of the new moon and on the day of the full moon when our festival begins. For observing the festival is a requirement for Israel. It is an ordinance given by the God of Jacob. He decreed it as a regulation in Joseph when he attacked the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I did not recognize. It said, I removed the burden from his shoulder. His hands were released from holding the basket. In your distress, you called out, and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah. I said, Listen, My people. I will warn you. O Israel, if only you would obey Me. There would be no other God among you. You must not worship a foreign god. I am the Lord your God, the One who brought you out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. But My people did not obey Me. Israel did not submit to Me. I gave them over to their stubborn desires. They did what seemed right to them. If only My people would obey Me, if only Israel would keep My commands, then I would quickly subdue their enemies and attack their adversaries. May those who hate the Lord cower in fear before Him. May they be permanently humiliated. I would feed Israel the best wheat and would satisfy your appetite with honey from the rocky cliffs.