Psalms 81:4-14

4 This is the law for Israel; it is the command of the God of Jacob.

5 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:

6 "I took the load off their shoulders; I let them put down their baskets.

7 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

8 My people, listen. I am warning you. Israel, please listen to me!

9 You must not have foreign gods; you must not worship any false god.

10 I, the Lord, am your God, who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth and I will feed you.

11 "But my people did not listen to me; Israel did not want me.

12 So I let them go their stubborn way and follow their own advice.

13 I wish my people would listen to me; I wish Israel would live my way.

14 Then I would quickly defeat their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.

Psalms 81:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A [Psalm] of Asaph. Of "gittith," See Gill on "Ps 8:1." The Targum renders it, "upon the harp which came from Gath;" and so Jarchi says it was a musical instrument that came from Gath. The Septuagint, and the versions which follow that, render it, "for the winepresses." This psalm, according to Kimchi, is said concerning the going out of the children of Israel from Egypt; and was composed in order to be sung at their new moons and solemn feasts, which were typical of Gospel things in Gospel times; see Colossians 2:16 and so the Syriac version, "a psalm of Asaph, when David by him prepared himself for the solemnities."