A Statute for Israel - Psalms 81:4

In Psalms chapter eighty one Asaph said, “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day”, and in chapter eighty one and verse four of Psalms Asaph said, “this was a statute for Israel”, where we read,

For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.

The verse begins, “For this was a statute for Israel, ...” Asaph began with the words, “for this was a statute” or “because, since and on account that the blowing of the trumpet in the new moon festival existed as an ordinance, prescribed resolve and decree” “for Israel” which means “on behalf of Israel whose name means God prevails and was the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Asaph said the blowing of the trumpet at the feast day was a prescribed resolve and decree for “Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “... and a law of the God of Jacob.” Asaph continued with the words, “and a law” or “and a judgment, ordinance and procedure of litigation” “of the God” which means “belonging to the Divine judge, ruler and Supreme God” “of Jacob” or “belonging to Jacob whose name means heel-holder or supplanter and was the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham and the father of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel”. Asaph shared how the blowing of the trumpet on the festival-feast day was a “law” from the Divine judge Jehovah God over “Jacob” or “Israel”.

When we consider the words in this verse, we realize through Asaph how this blasting of the trumpet or “shophar” was a decree of Jehovah God for the people of Israel. This is only one of several feast days established by God for Israel, and His desire was that they remember to relate to Him when these days came. God wants a personal relationship with every person, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we submit to Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us to keep His ordinances and ways to keep in remembrance of Him.

Next time Asaph says, “this he ordained in Joseph for a testimony”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Blow Up the Trumpet - Psalms 81:3

In Psalms chapter eighty one Asaph said, “Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery”, and in chapter eighty one and verse three of Psalms Asaph said, “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon”, where we read,

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

The verse begins, “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, ...” Asaph began with the words, “blow up the trumpet” or “give a blow or blast upon the horn, ram's horn, curved horn or cornet” “in the new moon” which means “monthly at the time of the new moon, first day of the month or lunar month”. Asaph said instructed his readers and listeners to give a blast upon the shophar or ram's horn on the day of the new moon.

The verse continues, “... in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.” Asaph added the words, “in the time appointed” or “at the fullness or the full moon and it's festival”, “on our solemn feast day” which means “upon the festival-gathering sacrifice and pilgrim-feast”. Asaph said the blasting of “the trumpet in the new moon” was to be during the specific time of the festival-gathering or pilgrim-feast.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Asaph directed the people of Israel to give a blow upon a trumpet or shophar at the specific time of the festival-gathering of the new moon. We are to give Jehovah God praise and glory every day, however, this was to be a specially appointed time when people were to use an instrument to glorify Him. God loves us, and He is worthy to be praised because He made a way for us to be forgiven of our sins and to receive eternal life. This was provided by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we believe and trust in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”, He forgives us, gives us everlasting life and provides an opportunity to “blast” a praise to Him through our voices and instruments throughout the world.

Next time Asaph says, “this was a statute for Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Take a Psalm and Bring a Timbrel - Psalms 81:2

In Psalms chapter eighty one Asaph said, “Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob”, and in chapter eighty one and verse two of Psalms Asaph said, “Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel”, where we read,

Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

The verse begins, “Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel, ...” Asaph began with the words, “Take a psalm” or “bear up, carry, sustain and support a musical piece, melody or song to be accompanied by an instrument”, “and bring here” which means “and give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe and consecrate to this place and location” “the timbrel or “the tabret or tambourine”. Asaph instructed his readers and listeners to bear up a melody with a musical instrument and consecrate the tambourine to the place of worship.

The verse goes on to say, “... the pleasant harp with the psaltery.” Asaph continued with the words, “the pleasant harp” or “the delightful, sweet, lovely and agreeable twanging lyre” “with the psaltery” which means “along with the skin-bag, jar, pitcher, lute, guitar or musical instrument”. Asaph instructed his readers to also bring along the delightful twanging lyre, pitcher and lute to use as a musical instruments.

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how Asaph gave instructions concerning the instruments and music of praise that people were to use for bringing praise and honor to Jehovah God. God is worthy of our praise, and everyone who realizes how much He loves us should break out in songs of worship to Him. He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and extend to us an opportunity to sing aloud and offer musical songs of praise with instruments unto Him.

Next time Asaph says, “Blow up the trumpet in the new moon”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Sing Aloud unto God - Psalms 81:1

Psalms chapter eighty one begins with the heading, “[[To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of Asaph.]] which breaks down, “to the chief Musician” or “to the preeminent, overseeing superintendent or chief choir director” “upon Gittith” which means “on a wine press or Gittite harp”. “A Psalm” or “a melody or poem set to notes” “of Asaph” which means “belonging to Asaph whose name means gatherer and was a son of Berechiah and the chief Levite musician under David”, and in chapter eighty one and verse one of Psalms Asaph said, “Sing aloud unto God our strength”, where we read,

Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

The verse begins, “Sing aloud unto God our strength:” Asaph began with the words, “Sing aloud” or “give a ringing cry, shout for joy or exalt with singing” “unto God” which means “to the Divine judge, ruler and Supreme God” “our strength” or “our, Asaph and the people of Israel's, power, might and authority”. Asaph instructed his readers and listeners to make songs with their voices toward Jehovah God who was the people of Israel's power, might and authority.

The verse continues, “make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.” Asaph added the words, “make a joyful noise” or “shout, raise a sound, cry out and give a blast” “unto the God” which means “to the Divine judge, ruler and Supreme God” “of Jacob” or “belonging to Jacob whose name means heel holder or supplanter and is the son of Isaac, grandson of Abraham and father of the twelve patriarchs of the tribes of Israel”. Asaph instructed his readers and listeners to shout and raise a sound to the Divine judge Jehovah God who is the God of the people of “Jacob” or Israel.

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Asaph exhorted his readers and listeners to make loud music with their voices unto Jehovah God and give a blast of sound to the Divine judge belonging to “Jacob” or Israel. Anyone who realizes how much God loves them and proved it by sending His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for their sins should sing and shout aloud unto Him. God's desire is to forgive our sins and grant us everlasting life, and when we believe and trust in His Son Jesus as our “Savior and Lord”, He will make provision for us in both of these. Let us join the exhortation of Asaph and “sing aloud unto God” and “make a joyful noise” unto Him for His provision of salvation for us.

Next time Asaph says, “Take a psalm, and bring here the timbrel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

LORD, Turn Us Again - Psalms 80:19

In Psalms chapter eighty Asaph said to Jehovah God, “Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. So will not we go back from you: quicken us, and we will call upon your name”, and in chapter eighty and verse nineteen of Psalms Asaph repeated the phrase, “turn us again, O LORD God of hosts”, where we read,

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved.

The verse begins, “Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, and cause your face to shine ...” Asaph began with the words, “turn us again” or “return, restore, refresh and repair us, Asaph and the people of Israel, another time”, “O God of hosts” which means “O Divine judge, ruler and Supreme God of armies or masses of angels”, “and cause your face” or “and make your, Jehovah God's, countenance” “to shine” which means “to become illuminated, light and bright”. Asaph repeated the idea written in verses three and seven where he appealed to Jehovah God to restore him and the people of Israel and to make His countenance to be illuminated and bright.

The verse goes on to say, “and we shall be saved.” Asaph continued with the words, “and we” or “and we, Asaph and the people of Israel” “shall be saved” which means “will exist as rescued, delivered and liberated”. As in verses three and seven of this chapter, Asaph said he and the people of Israel would be delivered and rescued when Jehovah God restored them and illuminated His countenance upon them”.

When we think through the words in this verse, we see how Asaph again repeated his appeal to Jehovah God to restore and rescue him and the people of Israel by shining His countenance upon them. As he previously stated in verses three and seven, Asaph desired the favor of God upon them. God wants to extend His grace, (unmerited favor), upon anyone who will believe and trust in His Son Jesus who came into the world to be crucified for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Jesus, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and rescue us from the penalty of sin by shining His brilliant countenance upon us. This idea is worth repeating over and over again even as Asaph did in this chapter of Psalms.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Asaph say, “Sing aloud unto God our strength”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Not Going Back from God - Psalms 80:18

In Psalms chapter eighty Asaph said to Jehovah God, “Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself”, and in chapter eighty and verse eighteen of Psalms Asaph said, “so will not we go back from you”, where we read,

So will not we go back from you: quicken us, and we will call upon your name.

The verse begins, “So will not we go back from you:” Asaph began with the words, “so will not we go back” or “no and not in any way shall we, Asaph and the people of Israel, move away, turn aside, backslide and be repulsed” “from you” which means “separate and apart from you, Jehovah God”. Asaph said when Jehovah God conveyed His authority and power upon the man of His right hand and the son of man He made strong on behalf of Himself, the result would be that they would not separate from Him.

The verse continues, “quicken us, and we will call upon your name.” Asaph added the words, “quicken us” or “make us, Asaph and the people of Israel, to be restored to life and health and to live prosperously” “and we will call” which means “and we, Asaph and the people of Israel, shall call out, recite and shout aloud” “upon your name” which means “on your, Jehovah God's, reputation, fame and glory”. Asaph appealed to Jehovah God to restore him and the people of Israel to life, and they would call out aloud to His fame, reputation and glory.

When we meditate upon words in this verse, we see how Asaph declared that he and the people of Israel would not retreat from Jehovah God when He poured out His power and authority upon the man and his offspring, and he desired that God restore the people of Israel to life so the result would be that they would call out to His reputation and glory. God wants people to relate to Him in this manner because it becomes the best life for them. Jesus said, “Seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (See Matthew 6:33), and because He was sent into the world to die on the cross for our sins, when we believe and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and make us “born again” unto the best life we may ever receive.

Next time Asaph says, “turn us again, O LORD God of hosts”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".