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81:1  For the director of music. According to gittith. A psalm of Asaph. Sing joyfully to God! He gives us strength. Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob!
81:2  Let the music begin. Play the tambourines. Play sweet music on harps and lyres.
81:3  Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the New Moon feast. Blow it again when the moon is full and the Feast of Booths begins.
81:4  This is an order given to Israel. It is a law of the God of Jacob.
81:5  He gave it as a covenant law for the people of Joseph. It was given when God went out to punish Egypt. There I heard a voice I didn’t recognize.
81:6  The voice said, “I removed the load from your shoulders. I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets.
81:7  You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you. I answered you out of a thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
81:8  “My people, listen and I will warn you. Israel, I wish you would listen to me!
81:9  Don’t have anything to do with the gods of other nations. Don’t bow down and worship any god other than me.
81:10  I am the Lord your God. I brought you up out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.
81:11  “But my people wouldn’t listen to me. Israel wouldn’t obey me.
81:12  So I let them go their own stubborn way. I let them follow their own sinful plans.
81:13  “I wish my people would listen to me! I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!
81:14  Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control. I would use my power against their attackers.
81:15  Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear. They would be punished forever.
81:16  But you would be fed with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.”