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?