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Psalms 81

16 verses

TL;DR

Psalm 81 invites Israel to worship God with music, recalls His covenant and deliverance, and warns against idolatry and disobedience.

Summary

The psalm opens with a call to sing aloud and use instruments like the timbrel, harp, and trumpet to celebrate God’s power. It recalls the law given to Israel at the new moon and the covenant established by Joseph in Egypt. The psalmist reminds God of His deliverance at Meribah and promises to fill Israel’s mouths if they listen. He warns that no foreign gods will be present if Israel obeys, yet notes that Israel has turned away from God’s voice. The psalm ends with a lament that Israel’s disobedience led to their ruin, while expressing a longing that they might walk in God’s ways. The final verses illustrate the hope that God would once again feed them with fine wheat and honey from the rock.

Outline
  1. Invitation to worship and recall covenant (vv. 1‑5)
  2. God’s testimony and promises (vv. 6‑8)
  3. Warning against idolatry and call to obedience (vv. 9‑16)
Themes
worshipcovenantidolatryobediencedeliverance
Keywords
worshipcovenantstatutelawIsraelEgyptMeribahidolatryobediencedeliverance
People
Godthe LORDIsraelJacobJoseph
Places
land of EgyptMeribah
Things
timbrelharppsalterytrumpetstatutelawlanguageburdenpotssecret place of thunderwaters of Meribahfine wheathoney
Key Verses
  • Psalms 81:4: declares the law given to Israel as a statute
  • Psalms 81:8: God’s promise to testify and fill Israel’s mouths if they listen
  • Psalms 81:12: expresses God’s frustration with Israel’s disobedience
  • Psalms 81:16: illustrates the blessings—fine wheat and honey—that would return if Israel obeys
  • Psalms 81:6: reminds of God’s deliverance at Meribah
Questions
  • Why does the psalmist emphasize musical instruments in worship?
  • What does the reference to the law at the new moon reveal about Israel’s covenant?
  • How does the psalm balance praise with rebuke, and what does that suggest about God’s expectations?
  • In what ways does the promise of “fine wheat and honey” function as both a comfort and a warning?
  • How might the lament about Israel’s disobedience speak to contemporary believers?
Sentiment

mixed
the psalm mixes exhortation to worship with stern admonition for idolatry and disobedience.