
81 - Exultate Deo

1   O sing merrily unto God our strength; *
    make a cheerful noise unto the God of Jacob.

2   Take the psalm, bring hither the timbrel, *
    the merry harp with the lute.

3   Blow the trumpet at the new moon, *
    even in the time appointed, and on our solemn feast day.

4   For this was made a statute for Israel *
    and a law of the God of Jacob.

5   This he laid upon Joseph for a testimony, *
    when he came out of the land of Egypt.

6   “I eased his shoulder from the burden, *
    and his hands were delivered from bearing the load.

7   You called upon me in troubles, and I delivered you, *
    and I answered you in the thundercloud and tested you at the waters of strife.

8   Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you; *
    O Israel, if you will hearken unto me,

9   There shall be no strange god among you, *
    neither shall you worship any other god.

10  I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; *
    open your mouth wide, and I shall fill it.

11  But my people would not hear my voice, *
    and Israel would not obey me.

12  So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their hearts, *
    and let them follow their own imaginations.

13  Oh, that my people would have hearkened unto me, *
    that Israel had walked in my ways.

14  I would soon have put down their enemies *
    and turned my hand against their adversaries.

15  The haters of the Lord would humble themselves before him, *
    and their time of punishment would endure for ever.

16  But Israel would I feed with the finest wheat-flour, *
    and with honey out of the stony rock would I satisfy him.”
