Psalm 81

(from Day 16 Morning Prayer)

Exultate Deo

1. SING we merrily unto God our strength: make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2. Take the psalm, bring hither the tabret: the merry harp with the lute.
3. Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon: even in the time appointed, and upon our solemn feast-day.
4. For this was made a statute for Israel: and a law of the God of Jacob.
5. This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony: when he came out of the land of Egypt, and had heard a strange language.
6. I eased his shoulder from the burden: and his hands were delivered from making the pots.
7. Thou calledst upon me in troubles, and I delivered thee: and heard thee what time as the storm fell upon thee.
8. I proved thee also: at the waters of strife.
9. Hear, O my people, and I will assure thee, O Israel: if thou wilt hearken unto me,
10. There shall no strange god be in thee: neither shalt thou worship any other god.
11. I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I shall fill it.
12. But my people would not hear my voice: and Israel would not obey me.
13. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lusts: and let them follow their own imaginations.
14. O that my people would have hearkened unto me: for if Israel had walked in my ways,
15. I should soon have put down their enemies: and turned my hand against their adversaries.
16. The haters of the Lord should have been found liars: but their time should have endured for ever.
17. He should have fed them also with the finest wheat-flour: and with honey out of the stony rock should I have satisfied thee.