Psalm 81 :: New International Version (NIV)

Psa 81:1 [fn]For the director of music. According to gittith.[fn] Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!

Psa 81:2Begin the music, strike the timbrel, play the melodious harp and lyre.

Psa 81:3Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;

Psa 81:4this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

Psa 81:5When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say:

Psa 81:6“I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

Psa 81:7In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.[fn]

Psa 81:8Hear me, my people, and I will warn you— if you would only listen to me, Israel!

Psa 81:9You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not worship any god other than me.

Psa 81:10I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

Psa 81:11“But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me.

Psa 81:12So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Psa 81:13“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,

Psa 81:14how quickly I would subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!

Psa 81:15Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.

Psa 81:16But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

In Hebrew texts 81:1-16 is numbered 81:2-17.

Title: Probably a musical term

The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

For more information on this translation, see the NIV Preface.

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