Psalm 81

New Coverdale Version

O sing merrily unto God our strength; * make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.

Take the psalm, bring hither the timbrel, * the merry harp with the lute.

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, * even in the time appointed, and on our solemn feast day.

For this was made a statute for Israel * and a law of the God of Jacob.

This he laid upon Joseph for a testimony, * when he came out of the land of Egypt.

“I eased his shoulder from the burden, * and his hands were delivered from bearing the load.

You called upon me in troubles, and I delivered you, * and I answered you in the thundercloud and tested you at the waters of strife.

Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you; * O Israel, if you will hearken unto me,

There shall be no strange god among you, * neither shall you worship any other god.

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; * open your mouth wide, and I shall fill it.

But my people would not hear my voice, * and Israel would not obey me.

So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their hearts, * and let them follow their own imaginations.

Oh, that my people would have hearkened unto me, * that Israel had walked in my ways.

I would soon have put down their enemies * and turned my hand against their adversaries.

The haters of the Lord would humble themselves before him, * and their time of punishment would endure for ever.

But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat-flour, * and with honey out of the stony rock would I satisfy him.”