Psalms81Sing for Joy to God Our StrengthFor the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph.1 Sing for joy to God our strength;make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob.2 Lift up a song, strike the tambourine,play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon,and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.4 For this is a statute for Israel,an ordinance of the God of Jacob.5 He ordained it as a testimony for Josephwhen he went out over the land of Egypt,where I heard an unfamiliar language:6 “I relieved his shoulder of the burden;his hands* were freed from the basket.7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you;I answered you from the cloud* of thunder;I tested* you at the waters of Meribah.Selah8 Hear, O My people, and I will warn you:O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!9 There must be no strange god* among you,nor shall you bow to a foreign god.*10 I am the LORD your God,who brought you up out of Egypt.Open wide your mouth,and I will fill it.11 But My people would not listen to Me,and Israel would not obey Me.12 So I gave them up to their stubborn heartsto follow their own devices.13 If only My people would listen to Me,if Israel would follow My ways,14 how soon I would subdue their enemiesand turn* My hand against their foes!15 Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience,and their doom would last forever.16 But I would feed you the finest wheat;with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”