The Inward/Outward Journey From Self-Preoccupation to God-Centeredness
Prepared for Monday Psalms, October 4, 2021
Chapter: Psalm 81
Toni’s Title
If My People Would But Listen to Me
ESV Title
Oh, That My People Would Listen to Me
Literary Type
This is covenant renewal liturgy.
Covenant Renewal Liturgy
In their early history, before the time of David, the Israelites probably had a special time in the autumn of each year to renew their conditional covenant with God, the Mosaic covenant. “If you will obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession…” (Exodus 19:5) The saving deeds of God in Israel’s history were proclaimed and the people were asked to reaffirm their allegiance to God.
Examples: Psalms 50 and 81
NT Prayer Guide
Rev. 3:12-17
Superscription
To the choirmaster: according to Gittith. Of Asaph.
81
Exultate Deo
1 O sing merrily unto God our strength; *
make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.
2 Take the psalm, bring hither the timbrel, *
the merry harp with the lute.
3 Blow the trumpet at the new moon, *
even in the time appointed, and on our solemn feast day.
4 For this was made a statute for Israel *
and a law of the God of Jacob.
5 This he laid upon Joseph for a testimony, *
when he came out of the land of Egypt.
6 “I eased his shoulder from the burden, *
and his hands were delivered from bearing the load.
7 You called upon me in troubles, and I delivered you, *
and I answered you in the thundercloud and tested you at the waters of strife.
8 Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you; *
O Israel, if you will hearken unto me,
9 There shall be no strange god among you, *
neither shall you worship any other god.
10 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; *
open your mouth wide, and I shall fill it.
11 But my people would not hear my voice, *
and Israel would not obey me.
12 So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
and let them follow their own imaginations.
13 Oh, that my people would have hearkened unto me, *
that Israel had walked in my ways.
14 I would soon have put down their enemies *
and turned my hand against their adversaries.
15 The haters of the Lord would humble themselves before him, *
and their time of punishment would endure for ever.
16 But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat-flour, *
and with honey out of the stony rock would I satisfy him.”