Overview of Psalm 81

Introduction

Psalm 81, attributed to Asaph, is a vibrant call to worship and a reflection on the covenant relationship between God and Israel. This psalm blends celebration with admonition, urging the people to remember and adhere to God’s commands while recalling God’s deliverance and promises.

Call to Celebration and Worship (Psalm 81:1-5)

The psalm opens with an exuberant call to worship, instructing the people to sing aloud to God their strength, to start the music, and to strike the timbrel and lyre. The setting is a festival, possibly the New Moon festival or the Feast of Tabernacles, which commemorates Israel’s wilderness wanderings and God’s provision.

Joyful Commemoration of God’s Provision

This section establishes a festive atmosphere, emphasizing joyful worship as an integral expression of gratitude for God’s ongoing provision and guidance.

Divine Reminder of Deliverance (Psalm 81:6-10)

Transitioning from the call to worship, God Himself speaks, reminding the people of His deliverance from Egypt—the “basket” of burdens—and His response to their cries at Meribah. God’s speech serves as a poignant reminder of His past acts of salvation and His desire for His people to listen and obey Him.

Reflection on Covenant Faithfulness

God’s reminder highlights His role as deliverer and sustainer, reinforcing the covenant relationship that requires obedience and trust from the people as a response to His faithfulness.

Admonition and Promise (Psalm 81:11-16)

The latter part of the psalm shifts to a lament over Israel’s stubbornness. God expresses regret that His people did not listen to His commands and pursued their own counsel. Despite this, He extends a promise of subduing their enemies and feeding them with the finest wheat and honey if only they would obey Him.

Conditional Blessings Based on Obedience

This section conveys a conditional promise that underscores the blessings tied to obedience and the consequences of disregard for God’s laws. It reflects God’s longing for His people to return to Him so that He can bless them abundantly.

Connections and Theological Implications

Connection to Jesus Christ

Psalm 81 connects to Jesus Christ through its themes of listening to God’s voice and the promise of sustenance. Christ embodies God’s ultimate provision and call to obedience. In the New Testament, Jesus is portrayed as the true bread from heaven (John 6:35) and the fulfillment of the law (Matthew 5:17), inviting all to come to Him and find rest, paralleling the sustenance and rest promised in Psalm 81.

God’s Love for the World

This psalm demonstrates God’s love by continuously calling His people back to a relationship grounded in obedience, which leads to blessing. God’s repeated invitations and His provision of sustenance are expressions of His enduring love and patience, despite human disobedience.

Relevance Today

Psalm 81 remains profoundly relevant today for several reasons:

• Encouragement for Faithful Worship: It encourages modern believers to engage in joyful worship as a response to God’s provision and deliverance in their lives.
• Reminder of the Importance of Obedience: The psalm serves as a reminder of the blessings that follow obedience and the importance of heeding God’s word.
• Model for Communal and Individual Reflection: It provides a model for both communal and individual reflection on how adhering to God’s commands leads to spiritual and material prosperity.

Psalm 81 not only acts as a call to worship and celebration but also as a profound reflection on the dynamics of divine-human interaction, emphasizing obedience, listening, and the blessings that follow a committed relationship with God.