Psalm 81. 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 submitted themselves unto him; *
    but their time should have endured for ever.
17. I would have fed them also with the finest wheat-flour; *
    and with honey out of the stony rock would I have satisfied thee.