Hear O Israel,If you will

listen

Psalm 81

Background

• A psalm of Asaph

• Written during one of Israel’s feast days Passover – Lev. 23:4-8 Trumpets – Lev. 23:23-24 Tabernacles – Lev. 23:33-34

Celebrating Blessings

• Praise God in song & music (1-3)

• Did God actually command/ authorize instrumental worship? OR did He tolerate it?

Celebrating Blessings

• Praise God in song (1-3)• The point: A call to praise God

at His appointed time to do so.

• Why these feasts? To commemorate God’s deliverance of them. Properly observed they would humble the people

Celebrating Blessings

• Praise God in song (1-3)• Lesson: We are commanded

to assemble (Heb. 10:25)AND various acts of worship intended to remind us of what God has done for us

That is why abuse in worship is taken so

seriouslycf. 1 Cor. 11:17-34

Celebrating Blessings

• Commanded by God (4)• A statute for Israel, a law for

God

• Observing these feasts was expected by all.

Celebrating Blessings

• Commanded by God (4)• In our worship: When God

gives us instructions, we must respect in word and deedJohn 4:24, cf. 1 Cor. 11:28-29, Jas. 4:3

Celebrating Blessings

• Can these verses be used to justify instrumental music today?

• No! First it was directed to Israel. Also they were part of the Old Law

Celebrating Blessings

• A reminder of God’s deliverance (5-7)

• Throughout psalms and prophets reminders given of Israel’s history and God’s deliverance, especially the exodus.

Celebrating Blessings

• God’s deliverance (5-7)• Examples:

Joseph – made Egypt possibleGoing through the landDelivery from slaverySecret place of thunder (Ex. 14:24 or 20:18-20)Tested at Meribah - Ex. 17:6-7

Celebrating Blessings

• God’s deliverance (5-7)• Has God done wonderful

things for us? Thought: Unlike Israel, we do not have annual holidays – though we have a memorial

Israel’s Rejection (8-12)

• Admonished, charged (8-9)• God’s law – No foreign

gods!Ex. 20:3, Deut. 6:13-15

• God has ALWAYS demanded exclusive worship

Israel’s Rejection (8-12)

• Admonished, charged (8-9)• Can we be carried away

with idols?1 Cor. 10:14, 1 Jn. 5:21Col. 3:5 – Covetousness is idolatry

Israel’s Rejection (8-12)

• I AM the Lord your God(10)• He was their only hope of

deliverance

• A charge to seek Him first Matt. 6:33

Israel’s Rejection (8-12)

• They rejected God(11-12)• Over and over they rejected

Him.• He let them do what they

wanted to do • But their decision had

consequences

Israel’s Rejection (8-12)

• They rejected God (11-12)• Today: God will not force us

to serve Him! Rom. 1:24-25

• God wants you, but it is YOUR choice!

A Call to Repentance (13-16)

• Listen and walk in His ways (13)

• Today: God still want men to obey Him! 2 Pet. 3:9, 1 Tim. 2:4

• Listening is not just hearing words, but responding

A Call to Repentance (13-16)

• Promise of deliverance (14)• He can save! 2 Pet. 2:9,• He will punish His enemies – 2 Thess. 1:6-9

• Whose side are YOU on?

A Call to Repentance (13-16)

• Haters would pretend submission (15)

• Had they been loyal He would have subdued even those who are not loyal to Him

A Call to Repentance (13-16)

• Haters would pretend submission (15)

• When we stand for what is right, we might silence our enemies – 1 Cor. 1:27, 1 Pet. 2:12, 15

• Do we stand up for God enough?

A Call to Repentance (13-16)

• God can and will bless the faithful (16)

• Faithfulness to God leads to satisfaction.

• Are you satisfied?

Truly, we are blessed!

Do we realize it?