Psalms 81:4-14

4 For it is a statute for Yisra'el, An ordinance of the God of Ya`akov.

5 He appointed it in Yosef for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Mitzrayim, I heard a language that I didn't know.

6 "I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket.

7 You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Merivah." Selah.

8 "Hear, my people, and I will testify to you. Yisra'el, if you would listen to me!

9 There shall be no strange god in you, Neither shall you worship any foreign god.

10 I am the LORD, your God, Who brought you up out of the land of Mitzrayim. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 But my people didn't listen to my voice. Yisra'el desired none of me.

12 So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, That they might walk in their own counsels.

13 Oh that my people would listen to me, That Yisra'el would walk in my ways!

14 I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries.

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."