Psalm 81:6–16

⁶God said, “I removed the load from your shoulders.

I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets.

⁷You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you.

I answered you out of a thundercloud.

I put you to the test at the waters of Meribah. Selah

⁸“My people, listen and I will warn you.

Israel, I wish you would listen to me!

⁹Don’t have anything to do with the gods of other nations.

Don’t bow down and worship strange gods.

¹⁰I am the Lord your God.

I brought you up out of Egypt.

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

¹¹“But my people wouldn’t listen to me.

Israel wouldn’t obey me.

¹²So I let them go their own stubborn way.

I let them follow their own sinful plans.

¹³“I wish my people would listen to me!

I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!

¹⁴Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control.

I would use my power against their attackers.

¹⁵Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear.

They would be punished forever.

¹⁶But you would be fed with the finest wheat.

I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.”