Psalm 81:1

Psalm 81:1

Sing for joy to God

Many commentators suggest that this Psalm was written to be sung and played at the time of 7th month in Israel which is called Tishri and spans September / October. This was a festival period when large crowds gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles. These events could go on for up to 3 weeks and worshippers and participants came from every corner of the land, and beyond, to join in the celebrations around the Temple and its courts. As well as celebrating, the people would join in times or remembrance and recommitment to their faith. 

V1        Music was, and is, a huge part of the Jewish festival season and the Levites provided choirs and bands of highly skilled musicians to play and sing for the crowds who ascended to Jerusalem. There was dancing and singing and praising and you can imagine the delight of the families and friends who approached the Temple Courts and caught their first strains of familiar tunes wafting around the pillars and open spaces surrounding the Holy Place. As we have discovered, Asaph was one of the prominent Levite song writers of his day and it is probable that his gifts were passed down through his descendants, hence the large number of Psalms that are attributed to him. 

“Sing for joy and shout aloud!” The Jews who gathered in Jerusalem didn’t need much encouragement and the sound of their praises filled the streets and the courtyards of the ancient city. Go to a decent sized sports event today and you’ll get an idea of what it was like to be a worshipper in Jerusalem. Thank God that the straight lined, liturgical dullness of much church worship has been replaced in many congregations with lively, innovative music and songs but even so, are we ready to shout, to sing for joy and to dance before the God who is our strength? I guess our praise is a reflection of our hearts, if God doesn’t excite us, it shows. 

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