81  For the musical director: a song by Asaf to be accompanied by stringed instruments.[fn]

1 Sing aloud to God our strength.

≈ Shout out to Ya’akov’s (Jacob’s) god with happiness.

2 Sing a song and play the tambourine—

the pleasant lyre with the harp.

3 Blow the trumpet on the day of the new moon,

≈ on the day of the full moon, when our celebration begins,

4 because it’s a statute for Yisrael (Israel)—

≈ a decree given by Ya’akov’s god.

5 He issued it as a regulation in Yosef (Joseph) (Yosef, but referring to Yisrael)

when he went against Mitsrayim (Egypt),

where I heard a voice that I didn’t recognize:

6 “I removed the burden from his shoulder.

His hands were freed from having to hold the basket.

7 In your distress you called out, and I helped you.

I answered you from a dark thundercloud.

I tested you at the waters of Merivah. (Instrumental break.)

8 Listen, my people, yes, I’ll warn you, Yisrael (Israel).

If you would only listen to me.

9 There mustn’t be any foreign god among you.

≈ You mustn’t worship any foreign god.

10 I’m your god Yahweh who brought you out of Mitsrayim (Egypt).

Open your mouth wide, and I’ll fill it.

11 But my people didn’t listen to my words.

≈ Yisrael (Israel) didn’t obey me.

12 So I let them go their own stubborn way

so that they could do whatever seemed okay to them.

13 If only my people would listen to me.

If only my people would follow my ways.

14 If they did, I’d quickly subdue their enemies

and use my strength against those who oppress them.

15 May those who hate Yahweh cringe in fear before him.

≈ May they be humiliated forever.

16 I would feed Yisrael (Israel) with the finest bread.

≈ I would satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”