HEAR, O MY PEOPLE
Text: Psalm 81
30 October 2011
(I) TWO COMPLEMENTARY PSALMS
1. One Divine Command
To establish hope-trust in God ( Psalm 78:1-7 )
2. Two Endeavours to respond to this Command
a) Human Endeavour ( Psalm 78 )
b) Divine Endeavour ( Psalm 81 )
(II) CONTEXT OF TEACHING
1. Celebration of every new moon (Psalm 81:3a)
2. A solemn feast day (Psalm 81:3b)
3. Reading of Psalm 81 as part of the celebratory worship
4. Other examples
a) Psalm 27 – Recited for 40 days before the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
b) Psalm 92 – Weekly Sabbath Prayer
c) Psalm 81 – Read at the New Moon Festival
(III) SPECIAL POINTS OF TIME IN HISTORY
1. Remembering Egypt
“I removed his shoulder from the burden” Psalm 81:6a
2. Answering of prayers
“You called in trouble and I delivered you;I answered you in the secret place of thunder” Psalm 81:7
3. Testing in the wilderness
“I tested you at the waters of Meribah” Psalm 81:7c
(IV) CONTENT OF GOD’S WORD TO ANCIENT ISRAEL
1. Proclamation- A call to listen to God
“Hear, O My people, and I will admonish youO Israel, if you will listen to Me” Psalm 81:8
2. Prohibition of foreign gods
“There shall be no foreign god among you;No shall you worship any foreign God” Psalm 81:9
3. Promise of Provision
“I am the LORD Your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt;Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” Psalm 81:10b
“He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” Psalm 81:16
4. Promise of Protection
“I would soon subdue their enemiesAnd turn My hand against their adversaries.” Psalm 81:15
“He would have fed them also with the finest of wheat;And with honey from the rock I would have satisfied you.” Psalm 81:16
(V) CONDITIONS THAT MUST BE FULFILLED
1. No Heeding of God’s voice
“But My people would not heed My voice,And Israel would have none of Me” Psalm 81:11
2. Heeding of God’s command to walk in His ways
“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!” Psalm 81:13b