Weekly Sermons

Psalm 81 Worksheet

As we read Psalm 81, look for clues about what this Psalm was written for. Also look for the place the Psalm switches to God being the one speaking.

 

Asaph’s call to Festival worship                                                                                                                            V. 1-3

The opening 3 verses have ______ commands calling the people to the praise of the Festival, making this a Praise psalm.

When Jacob is used for Israel instead of Israel, it is often a not so subtle _________________________ of where they came from – sinful Jacob became Israel because of what God had done in his life. 

Jacob’s name can mean to be behind or supplanter. It was given to him at birth when he grabbed his twin brother’s heel in the womb as they came out; That’s a great name for one who later wrestled with God and had his name changed to Israel, which means “one who struggles with God.” The root consonant of ‘struggle’ in Hebrew is SYR; For Israel it is ‘YSR.’  

Israel’s lunar calendar meant their festivals coincided with moon ________________. The new moon was by definition the first of the month.

Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifice of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the LORD your God.                          -Numbers 10:10

 

Yahweh’s _________________________ of His deliverance                                                                          V. 4-7

Verses 4-5 seem to confirm the statute referred to is the ______________________ Festival, since it was actually commanded before they actually left Egypt (Exodus 12). That would mean “He” going throughout the land of Egypt would be a reference to the LORD’s judgment in the tenth plague.

The reference to Joseph in verse 5 seems to be a reference to Joseph’s role in preserving Jacob’s sons/ Joseph’s brothers in Egypt during the famine described at the end of Joseph. Alternatively, it could mean this Psalm was written with the Northern tribes in mind during the time of the divided kingdom (922-722 B.C.) That would mean the Psalm is urging the north not to reject God’s design for the entire country.

The reference to “I” in verse 5 is difficult to interpret. Is the “I” Asaph? Or is “I” figurative of the Jews when they lived in Egypt? Or is it God Himself, with this beginning God’s speech that goes through the end of the Psalm? Regardless, the point is that when they were in Egypt they were ____________________ those whose language and religious practices were not their own.

Verse 7 covers the time that Israel wandered for 40 years in the wilderness. God led them, even though they were often stubborn and ungrateful. Time after time He delivered them and answered them “thunderously.”  They tested Him and He proved Himself faithful and holy. He tested them and they showed themselves ______________________ and sinful.

These are the waters of Meribah, where the people quarreled with the LORD, and through them He showed Himself holy.                                      -Numbers 20:13

Yahweh’s ___________________________ to His people                                                                 V. 8-16

In verses 8-9 God reminds Israel of the call in the 10 commands to worship Him alone, not ________________________.

In verse 10 God is telling them that He delivered them in the past, and provided for their needs – He is the _________________________ God who did that!

Verse 11 has to be among the saddest statements in the Bible. No doubt they wanted God’s protection and blessing, but they didn’t want God _______________________. I wonder how many professing Christians that is also true about.

Where in the New Testament do we read the words, “God gave them over?”

___________________________

God’s judgment of sin begins by letting people do the sinful things they are bound and determined to do, and experience the built-in ___________________________ of those sins.

Proverbs 14:12

God makes clear in verse 14 that if they return to Him He will take care of their ___________________.

Verse 15 is a good Old Testament verse for the _______________________ punishment of the those who don’t turn to God.

The Psalm ends with an additional blessing promised – If people listen to God, turn back to Him, and walk in His ways, He won’t just take care of their troubles but He will provide for their needs, fully _________________________ them.