Bible Chapter Summary
Psalm 81 Summary
Sing to God; Israel Refuses to Hear
The psalmist calls Israel to celebrate God with song, music, and feast day observances, reminding them of God's covenant with Jacob. God freed Israel from Egyptian bondage and delivered them from trouble, commanding them to reject false gods and trust Him. But Israel refused to listen and walked in their own desires, so God allowed them to follow their own counsel. Had they obeyed, God would have subdued their enemies and satisfied them abundantly.
Key themes
Key verses
Psalms 81:1
“Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.”
Psalms 81:8-9
“Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt thou worship any strange god.”
Psalms 81:11-12
“But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.”
Read Psalm 81 in full
Study the complete chapter with interlinear Hebrew & Greek, verse-by-verse, in the Gospel Daily reader.
Open the full chapter