Psalm 81

William Helder © 1972, 2006

1. Sing a Psalm of joy;
   Shout with holy fervor.
   All your skills employ;
   With your heart and soul
   Jacob’s God extol.
   He is our preserver.
   
2. O all Israel,
   Voice your jubilation.
   Let your music swell;
   Harp and timbrel play.
   Show in every way
   Joy and exultation.
   
3. With the trumpet’s tune
   Herald, in due season,
   Feast-days of the moon:
   Let its echo sound.
   To let joy abound
   God gives every reason.
   
4. Keep by God’s command
   Your commemoration:
   When in Egypt’s land
   Captive Israel
   Did in bondage dwell,
   He gave liberation.
   
5. “When you served as slaves
   Of the ruthless Pharaoh,
   I, the God who saves,
   Listened to your plea
   And I set you free
   From distress and sorrow.
   
6. “In the worst of plights
   Comfort I provided.
   On Mount Sinai’s heights
   I gave you My law.
   You at Meribah
   Tested were and guided.
   
7. O my people, hear!
   Let my warnings reach you.
   My commands revere.
   Would you but obey,
   Not to evil stray.
   Listen as I teach you.
   
8. “Never shall you have
   Gods of heathen nations.
   To no idols give
   What is Mine alone.
   To no god of stone
   Bow in adoration.
   
9. “I, the LORD, am He
   Who from Egypt freed you.
   Place your trust in Me;
   Open your mouth wide;
   I will food provide,
   To rich pastures lead you.
   
10. “By their willful choice
    They my love rejected;
    They ignored My voice.
    Israel did not
    Heed what they were taught.
    They My law neglected.
    
11. “To their stubborn way
    I let them surrender.
    Would they but obey
    And return to Me!
    O then I would be
    Israel’s defender!
    
12. “Then I would in haste
    Israel deliver.
    I would soon lay waste
    The oppressor’s land
    And with mighty hand
    Thwart the foe’s endeavor.
    
13. “As their just reward,
    All the hostile nations
    Who despise the LORD
    Would before His face
    Cringe in their disgrace
    And humiliation.
    
14. “With abundance I
    Israel would nourish.
    You I would supply
    With the finest wheat,
    Honey pure and sweet.
    Israel would flourish!”