Psalms 81

Psalms 81:1

Title. Gittith] See the Notes on the title of psal. 8.

of Asaph] Or, for Asaph.

SIng aloud unto God] It seemeth that this psalm was appointed for solemn feasts and assemblies of the people, to whom these ceremonies at such times were usuall.

Psalms 81:3

in the new-moon] This they did also in other feasts, Numbers 10:10.

Psalms 81:4

For this was a statute for Israel] Leviticus 23:24.

Psalms 81:5

This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony] Joseph is put for all Israel, because he had the double portion, which was one part of the birth-right, 1 Chron. 5. 1, 2. So is Judah sometimes, because he had the government, which was the other part, Genesis 49:10.

when] Or, because.

when he went out thorow the land of Egypt] It was ordained afterwards, but that was the cause of it.

thorow] Or, against.

where I heard a language that I understood not] God bringeth in the people, as one man, acknowledging their own misery.

Psalms 81:6

shoulder from the burden] Isaiah 9:4. and 10. 2.

were delivered] Heb. passed away.

from the pots] If they were never able to give sufficient thanks to God for this deliverance from their corporall bondage, how much more are we indebted to him for our spirituall deliverance from the tyrannie of satan and sin!

Psalms 81:7

calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee] Psalms 50:15.

in the secret place of thunder] By a strange and wonderfull manner, out of the clouds, whence thunder came, Exod. 14. 19, 20. and 19. 16.

proved thee at the waters of Meribah] Exodus 17:6.

Meribah] Or, strife.

Psalms 81:8

Hear, O my people] He condemneth all people that are not attentive to hear Gods voice, and to give obedience to the same.

Psalms 81:9

There shall no strange god] Or, Let no strange god.

neither shalt thou worship] Or, neither worship.

Psalms 81:10

open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it] God accuseth their incredulity, because they opened not their mouths to receive Gods benefits in such abundance as he poureth them out. Or, enlarge thy desire never so much, and it shall be satisfied, psal. 37. 4. Eph. 3. 20.

Psalms 81:12

So I gave them up to their own hearts lust] Acts 14:16.

unto their own hearts lust] Or, to the hardnesse of their hearts, or, imagination.

Psalms 81:13

O that my people had hearkened unto me] God sheweth, that the obedience of his people is as pleasing to him, as things wished for are to men, Deuteronomy 5:29. Isaiah 48:18.

Psalms 81:14

and turned my hand against their adversaries] If they had obeyed me. v. 12.

Psalms 81:15

haters of the Lord should have submitted themselves unto him] Psalms 37:20. Romans 1:30.

submitted themselves] Or, yeelded feigned obedience, psal. 18. 44. Heb. lyed.

but their time should have endured for ever] If the Israelites had not broken covenant with God, he would have given them perpetuall felicity.

Psalms 81:16

with the finest of the wheat] Heb. with the fat of wheat. That is, with most fine wheat, and abundance of honey.