Psalm 81 Study Notes

Ps 81 title On Gittith, see note at Ps 8 title. On Asaph, see note at Ps 50 title.

81:1-2 Jacob is a designation for the twelve tribes of Israel, who all serve one God.

81:3 The assembly blew the horn (Hb shophar) to herald the beginning of a cultic celebration or before entering into battle. A new moon marked the beginning of festivities, which concluded with the full moon. According to the Hebrew calendar, this time paralleled a series of cultic activities celebrated during two weeks of autumn.

81:4 A feast stipulated by the Torah indicates that the song accompanied one of three great cultic celebrations.

81:5-6 Psalms of Asaph frequently mention Joseph as a designation for Israel (50; 73; 83). The song does not refer to the historical person Joseph, but to Israel as Joseph’s descendants. The formal establishment of the law occurred long after Joseph’s death and only after Israel departed from Egypt. The unfamiliar language (lit “a tongue I did not know”) does not refer to a divine oracle or prophetic utterance, but to direct communication between God and his people during the exodus. Israel heard and understood God. Although the psalmist was not present, the exodus events of the past were clearly understood by the present community. The Lord freed Israel from the burden of Egyptian bondage. During Israel’s slavery under Pharaoh, the workers used a basket to carry bricks and construction materials.

81:7 Along with v. 6, this verse recollects the exodus and the Lord’s faithful response to the suffering of his people. The Lord spoke to Israel from the thundercloud (lit “from hidden thunder”) in the desert. The thundercloud evokes the appearance of God in Ex 19. During the sojourn in the wilderness, Rephidim, renamed Meribah (see note at Ex 17:1-7), was the place where the Israelites tested the Lord’s faithfulness and ability to provide water. However, the psalmist depicted the event as one in which the Lord tested Israel’s faithfulness and dependence on him.

81:8 The Hebrew concept of hearing—shemaÊ¿—is the central theme of the psalm. Hearing involves obedience to instruction. Thus, a person does not truly hear God without a response of obedience. Admonish conveys the meaning of “warn” or “testify.” If Israel had listened to the Lord, she would have experienced victory and prosperity (vv. 14-15).

81:9 The phrase there must not be a strange god recalls the first of the Ten Commandments (Ex 20:3-4; Dt 5:7-8). The current plight of the Lord’s people resulted from idolatrous practices. God’s resolution of Israel’s situation presupposed their obedience.

81:10 A formulaic expression I am the Lord your God (Ex 6:6-8; Dt 20:1; Jdg 6:13) recollects the revelation of God to Moses (Ex 3:14). Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it describes the Lord’s faithful provision.

81:11-12 Israel refused to listen to the Lord, as shown by her failure to respond. Did not obey expresses an unwillingness to yield to the leadership of the Lord. Therefore, as a result of their covenant disobedience, the Lord relinquished his people to their stubborn hearts (Dt 29:18; Jr 3:17; 7:24; 23:17). Israel demonstrated her arrogance by taking pride in her own reasoning faculties and ignoring the counsel of God.

81:13-14 God longs for his people’s obedience and the opportunity to deliver them.

81:15 Those who hate the Lord include any individual or nation who refused to hear him and to follow his covenant stipulations.

81:16 Two phrases, the best wheat and honey from the rock, allude to Dt 32:13-14. In Dt 32, Moses recounted the history of the Lord’s relationship with Israel, noting Israel’s frequent rebellion against him. When the Lord first established his people in Canaan, the nation enjoyed prosperity and peace. The people eventually became too comfortable in God’s providence and failed to keep God’s law. The passage from Deuteronomy provides the interpretive model for this psalm.