English / ERV
Psalms 81
Easy-to-Read Version, 2006
- 1Be happy and sing to God, our strength. Shout with joy to the God of Jacob.
- 2Begin the music. Play the tambourines. Play the pleasant harps and lyres.
- 3Blow the ram’s horn at the time of the new moon[1] and at the time of the full moon,[2] when our festival begins.
- 4This is the law for the people of Israel. The God of Jacob gave the command.
- 5God made this agreement with Joseph’s people, when he led them out of Egypt. In a language we didn’t understand, God said,
- 6“I took the load from your shoulder. I let you drop the worker’s basket.
- 7When you were in trouble, you called for help, and I set you free. I was hidden in the storm clouds, and I answered you. I tested you by the water at Meribah.[3]” Selah
- 8“My people, I am warning you. Israel, listen to me!
- 9Don’t worship any of the false gods that the foreigners worship.
- 10I, the LORD, am your God. I brought you out of Egypt. Israel, open your mouth, and I will feed you.
- 11“But my people did not listen to me. Israel did not obey me.
- 12So I let them go their own stubborn way and do whatever they wanted.
- 13If my people would listen to me and would live the way I want,
- 14then I would defeat their enemies. I would punish those who cause them trouble.
- 15Those who hate the LORD would shake with fear. They would be punished forever.