Psalm 81

Authorship

This psalm was authored by Asaph.

Outline

(This began as Wendland's Expository Outline, but may be adapted.)

I. Rejoice, Oh people. (1-3)

A. Sing aloud unto God our strength.

B. Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

C. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel and harp. D. Blow the trumpet:

1. At the new moon.

2. At the appointed time.

3. On the solemn feast day.

II. Remember, Oh people. (4-7)

A. What He established for them: A statute for Israel, a law of the God of Jacob.

B. Where He took them:

1. He ordained a testimony in Joseph in Egypt.

2. He ordained a testimony in His people who he delivered from slavery in Egypt.

C. What He taught them:

1. They called.

2. God answered.

3. He delivered them.

4. He answered in the secret place of thunder.

D. Where He tried them: He proved them at the waters of Meribah.

III. Hear, Oh people. (8-10)

A. I will testify unto thee if thou wilt hearken unto Me.

B. There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.

C. I am the Lord Thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt.

D. Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

IV. Oh, my people. (11-16)

A. They would not hearken to My voice, they would have none of Me.

B. I gave them up to their own lust.

C. They walked in their own counsels.

D. If they had only listened:

1. I would have subdued their enemies.

2. I would have turned My hand against their adversaries.

3. I would have made the enemy submit to them.

4. I would have fed them with the finest wheat.

5. I would have satisfied them with honey out of the rock.

Textual Criticism

The following is from Barthélemy's Critique textuelle de l’Ancien Testament volume on the Psalms. For a key to the various symbols and abbreviations, click here.

Ps 81,6(5)A עַל־אֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם {A} MT, Hebr, S, T // usu: G, s clav מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם

Ps 81,6(5)B שְׂפַת לֹא־יָדַעְתִּי אֶשְׁמָע {A} MT, Hebr, T // assim-ctext: G, S

Ps 81,17(16)A וַֽיַּאֲכִילֵהוּ {B} MT, S // assim-ctext: G, Hebr, T

Ps 81,17(16)B אַשְׂבִּיעֶךָ {B} MT, T // assim-ctext: G, Hebr, S