What does Psalm 81:1 mean?
ESV: Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob!
NIV: For the director of music. According to gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout aloud to the God of Jacob!
NASB: Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
CSB: For the choir director: on the Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; shout in triumph to the God of Jacob.
NLT: Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob.
KJV: To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph. Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
NKJV: {To the Chief Musician. On an instrument of Gath. A Psalm of Asaph.} Sing aloud to God our strength; Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 81:1–5 begins with Asaph's call for worship during a festival (Deuteronomy 16:13–15). The people should praise the Lord joyfully and enthusiastically. These are celebrations established by God Himself. Multiple instruments are mentioned for this day of remembrance which began when Israel was freed from Egypt. The reference to hearing a language either means the revelations of God during the exodus, or that the psalmist is hearing from God directly.
Chapter Summary:
Israel is called to remember God's incredible miracles on their behalf. As part of a feast day, the people are reminded of God's intervention during the exodus from Egypt. Some of this speaks from God's perspective. The psalm also notes that Israel responded to the Lord's rescue with disobedience. God wants His chosen people to follow His will; they will suffer the consequences of their own choices if they don't. To obey the Lord would bring Israel security and prosperity.
Chapter Context:
Asaph's song calls the people to celebrate a feast day, probably the Feast of Booths (Deuteronomy 16:13–15). It also mentions famous moments from Israel's journey out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. Included are Passover (Exodus 11:4), the end of Egyptian slavery (Exodus 12:41), the incident at Meribah (Exodus 17:7), and the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2–5). Aspects of this psalm recall God's promises and warnings about disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15).
Book Summary:
The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.
Accessed 11/21/2024 2:56:34 PM
© Copyright 2002-2024 Got Questions Ministries. All rights reserved.
Text from ESV, NIV, NASB, CSB, NLT, KJV, NKJV © Copyright respective owners, used by permission.
