[1] Sing joyfully to God, our strength. Shout happily to the God of Jacob. [2] Begin a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music. [3] Blow the ram's horn on the day of the new moon, on the day of the full moon, on our festival days. [4] This is a law for Israel, a legal decision from the God of Jacob. [5] These are the instructions God set in place for Joseph when Joseph rose to power over Egypt. I heard a message I did not understand: [6] "I removed the burden from his shoulder. His hands were freed from the basket. [7] When you were in trouble, you called out to me, and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your loyalty at the oasis of Meribah. Selah [8] Listen, my people, and I will warn you. Israel, if you would only listen to me! [9] Never keep any strange god among you. Never worship a foreign god. [10] I am the LORD your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it. [11] "But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me. [12] So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice. [13] If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me! [14] I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes. [15] Those who hate the LORD would cringe in front of him, and their time for punishment would last forever. [16] But I would feed Israel with the finest wheat and satisfy them with honey from a rock."
