[1] Sing joyfully to God! He gives us strength. Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob! [2] Let the music begin. Play the tambourines. Play sweet music on harps and lyres. [3] Blow the ram’s horn on the day of the New Moon feast. Blow it again when the moon is full and the Feast of Booths begins. [4] This is an order given to Israel. It is a law of the God of Jacob. [5] He gave it as a covenant law for the people of Joseph. It was given when God went out to punish Egypt. There I heard a voice I didn’t recognize. [6] The voice said, “I removed the load from your shoulders. I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets. [7] You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you. I answered you out of a thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. [8] “My people, listen and I will warn you. Israel, I wish you would listen to me! [9] Don’t have anything to do with the gods of other nations. Don’t bow down and worship any god other than me. [10] I 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. [12] So 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! [14] Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control. I would use my power against their attackers. [15] Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear. They would be punished forever. [16] But you would be fed with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey.”
