Psalm 81

We are in the midst of several Psalms that seem to come from a son of Asaph (Asaph was one of the worship leaders established from among the Levites by King David whose descendants seemed to use their father’s name for their writings) who wrote hymns from the context of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (indicated by the reference to Joseph, father of Ephraim and Manasseh who are the major tribes in the north).  He was either a resident there or wrote from the experience of residents there, which is an amazing thing to think about.  It means God was faithful even in maintaining a remnant of believers in that rebellious nation that had left the worship of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and replaced it with worship before two gold calves at Bethel and Dan. 

In Psalm 80 the Song asked how long and why; it asked God for restoration.  In Psalm 81 we have a Song that warns of the danger of ignoring God’s voice.  In v8 the writer says his purpose is to admonish.  Here are the various stanzas.

·         81:1-2 calls the people to make a joyful and very musical shout.

·         81:3-5 calls for the trumpet to be blown, calling the people to worship, at the next New Moon celebration.  God’s faithfulness to Joseph while he was in Egypt is brought to the forefront to remind people of a man and a time when things were right.

·         81:6-7 then reminds the people how God, when He brought them out of Egypt, tested them at the waters of Meribah (Exodus 17:1-7).  It is interesting that in the story twice it says the people tested or tempted God (v2,7).  And yet it was actually a test by God to see if they would trust and obey!

·         81:8-10 begins the warning.  At stake is the same issue as in Exodus: will they listen to God and trust Him?  Or will they trust a foreign god?  There is only one way and it is the way of faithfulness to God.  If they do this God will satisfy them.  He says, “Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.”

·         81:11-12 reminds them of how the people in the wilderness would NOT heed His voice.  They walked in their own counsels.

·         81:13-16 concludes with a plea to listen and obey.  If they will, God will subdue their enemies and satisfy them body and soul.

Let us consider two things.  First, the Bible makes it clear that the people of the Northern Kingdom did NOT learn the lesson.  They did not accept the rebuke.  They continued their idolatry and were judged severely in the time of the Assyrians who dispersed the ten tribes among many nations.  Second, let us understand that this speaks to us today.  God calls us to listen to Him, to walk in His ways.  That is the ONLY means of satisfaction for our souls.  Are you going through a trial, a test, such as Israel did at Meribah?  One thing that is happening is that God is seeking to reveal the true nature of your heart.  Your response will tell whether or not you are listening to God!