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Day 203

Psalm 81:6a "I removed his shoulder from the burden..."

Day 203 – Psalm 81

“I removed his shoulder from the burden…” Psalm 81:6a

ASAPH’S PRAYER TO GOD

In Psalm 79-80, Asaph offered heartfelt prayers to God. In these prayers he pleaded with God to give ear to his cries. However in both these psalms, no answers were forthcoming.

AN ANSWER FROM GOD

A theological link may be detected when we read these psalms together. Psalm 81 may be read as an answer from God to the prayers that were offered up.

“I removed his shoulder from the burden;
His hands were freed from the baskets.”
Psalm 81:6

1. “I”

a) We have a beautiful way of describing God’s personal involvement in Israel’s deliverance.
b) The first person pronoun “I” was used to portray God speaking to His people.
c) The rest of Psalm 81 is God’s answer to Asaph’s prayer (Psalm 79-80).

2. “I removed his shoulder from the burden”

a) The Egyptian taskmasters had laid a heavy burden on the shoulders of the children of Israel.
b) God is described as the One who personally and gently removed the burden.

3. “His hands were freed from the baskets”

a) One of the most difficult burdens was the making of bricks.
b) Tons of bricks were made to support the ambitious building programs of the Pharaoh.
c) Baskets were used for different purposes:-
i) To carry straw.
ii) To carry bricks.
iii) The baskets were placed on the shoulders of the slaves (Israelites).
d) God delivered them from the arduous labour placed on the children of Israel.
e) What relief Israel must have felt… in the deliverance God brought to them.
f) Sadly this was all but forgotten in the days of Asaph!