Psalm 81
Geneva Study Bible
<A Psalm of Asaph.>> Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
<{a} Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.>> Sing {b} aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

(a) An instrument of music brought from Geth.

(b) It seems that this psalm was appointed for solemn feasts and assemblies of the people to whom for a time these ceremonies were ordained, but now under the gospel are abolished.

Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
Blow up the trumpet in the {c} new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

(c) Under this feast he comprehends all other solemn days.

For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.
This he ordained in {d} Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that {e} I understood not.

(d) That is, in Israel for Joseph's family was counted the chief while before, Judah was preferred.

(e) God speaks in the person of the people because he was their leader.

I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the {f} pots.

(f) If they were never able to give sufficient thanks to God, for this deliverance from corporal bondage, how much more are we indebted to him for our spiritual deliverance from the tyranny of Satan and sin?

Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I {g} answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.

(g) By a strange and wonderful fashion.

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
{h} Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

(h) He condemns all assemblies where the people are not attentive to hear God's voice, and to give obedience to the same.

There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: {i} open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

(i) God accuses their incredulity, because they did not open their mouths to receive God's benefits in such abundance as he pours them out.

But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
{k} Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

(k) God by his word calls all, but his secret election appoints who will bear fruit.

I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand {l} against their adversaries.

(l) If their sins had not.

The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time {m} should have endured for ever.

(m) If the Israelites had not broken covenant with God, he would have given them victory against their enemies.

He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
He should have fed them also with the {n} finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

(n) That is, with most fine wheat and abundance of honey.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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