Psalm 81 Meaning Explained

A festival psalm with a haunting counterfactual. It begins with a command to celebrate the new moon with trumpet blasts, recalling the Exodus. Then God speaks in first person, lamenting: 'But my people did not listen to my voice.' He describes what could have been—subdued enemies, finest wheat, honey from the rock—if only Israel had walked in His ways. It’s a celebration tinged with divine grief over paths not taken.

A clear explanation of Psalm 81, its meaning, context, and message for believers today

Psalms Chapter 81 | KJV

1. 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.
2. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
3. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
4. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.
5. 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.
6. I removed his shoulder from the burden: his hands were delivered from the pots.
7. 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.
8. Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
9. There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.
10. I am the LORD thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt: open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.
11. But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
12. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.
13. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
14. I should soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15. The haters of the LORD should have submitted themselves unto him: but their time should have endured for ever.
16. He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.

Historical Context

Psalm 81, attributed to Asaph, reminds Israel of God’s past deliverance from Egypt and calls for obedience to His voice.