The author of Psalm 81 was Asaph, probably written to be used during the Feast of Tabernacles. It is a holiday hymn - celebrating the exit from Egypt - God's goodness verses Israel's waywardness. As notated above, God is our deliverer in spite of our wanderings.
Psalm 81:1-5 - "Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob! 2-Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre. 3-Sound the ram's horn at the new Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast; 4-this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. 5-He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt, where we heard a language we did not understand"
Israel's holidays reminded the nation of God's great miracles. They were times of rejoicing and times to renew one's strength for life's daily struggles. This Christmas season that just past us, did your thoughts revolve mostly around presents? Is Easter only a warm anticipation of spring and Thanksgiving only a great meal? Remember the spiritual origins of these special days, and use them as opportunities to worship God for his goodness to you.
In verses 2-4, notated above, David decided to institute music for the temple worship services. Music and worship go hand in hand. Worship should involve the whole person, and music helps lift a person's thoughts and emotions to God. Through music we can reflect upon our needs and shortcomings as well as celebrate God's goodness.
Psalm 81:11,12 - "But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.
12-So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices"
God let the Israelites go on blindly, stubbornly and selfishly, when they should of been obeying and pursuing God's desires. God sometimes lets us continue in our stubbornness to bring us to our senses. He does not keep us from rebelling; because he wants us to learn the consequences of sin. He uses these experiences to turn people away from greater sin to faith in him.
Psalm 81 / New International Version
ReplyDelete1-Sing for joy to God our strength;
shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
2-Begin the music, strike the tambourine,
play the melodious harp and lyre.
3-Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon,
and when the moon is full, on the day of our Feast,
4-this is a decree for Israel,
an ordinance of the God of Jacob.
5-He established it as a statute for Joseph
when he went out against Egypt,
where he heard a language we did not understand.
6-He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders;
their hands were set free from the basket.
7-In your distress you called and I rescued you,
I answered you out of a thundercloud;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah.
8-"Hear O my people, and I will warn you -
if you would but listen to me, O Israel!
9-You shall have no foreign god among you;
you shall not bow down to an alien god.
10-I am the LORD your God,
who brought you up out of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.
11-But my people would not listen to me;
Israel would not submit to me.
12-So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts;
to follow their own devices.
13-If my people would but listen to me,
if Israel would follow my ways,
14-how quickly would I subdue my enemies
and turn my hand against their foes!
15-Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him,
and their punishment would last forever.
16-But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.