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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