Psalms 81:3-13

3 (80-4) Blow up the trumpet on the new moon, on the noted day of your solemnity.

4 (80-5) For it is a commandment in Israel, and a judgment to the God of Jacob.

5 (80-6) He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt: he heard a tongue which he knew not.

6 (80-7) He removed his back from the burdens: his hands had served in baskets.

7 (80-8) Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee: I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.

8 (80-9) Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,

9 (80-10) there shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.

10 (80-11) For I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 (80-12) But my people heard not my voice: and Israel hearkened not to me.

12 (80-13) So I let them go according to the desires of their heart: they shall walk in their own inventions.

13 (80-14) If my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways:

Psalms 81:3-13 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."