Psalm 81 – a few verses – was sung in the Holy Temple on Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year), a day when many miracles were performed for Israel. On this day the Jews appear before Hashem as they really are. There can be no falsehood when they stand before their Creator on the anniversary of that Creation. In everyday life, many things get in the way, such as the ego, self-hatred and misguided impressions that work against the Jews. But the antidote is called humility. Even though this is a small thing, it can break the barrier.
- Text Psalm 81
- Hebrew text of Psalm 81 – תהילים פא
- Listen to Psalm 81
- Explanation of Psalm 81 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
- Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 81
- Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
- Psalm 1 to 92
Text Psalm 81
For the conductor, on the Gittith, of Asaph. Sing praises to the G‑d Who is our might, sound the shofar to the G‑d of Jacob. Lift up [your voice in] song and give [with] a tambourine, a pleasant harp with a lyre. Sound the shofar on the New Moon, at the appointed time for the day of our festival.
….If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would walk in My ways. In a little while I would subdue their enemies, and upon their enemies I would return My hand. The Lord’s enemies would lie against Him and their time would be forever. Then He would feed them with the fat of wheat and I would satisfy you with honey from a rock.
Hebrew text of Psalm 81 – תהילים פא
{a} To win over the Gethite to add:
{b} Let us sing to God, let us sing to the God of Jacob; The shofar is blown in a cup for the day of our feast: {e} For a law to Israel is a judgment to the God of Jacob { f} The testimony of Joseph, his name, when he came out of the land of Egypt,
a language I did not know, I will hear: I will rescue you, I will answer you with the secret of thunder, I will test you against those who quarrel Sela: {9} My people will listen and Israel will testify in you If you will listen to me:
{1} You shall not have a foreign god and you shall not bow down to a foreign god: {1} I am the Lord your God, who is above you from the land of Egypt. O my people at my voice, and they shall cry unto my father: {13}
And I will send them of the will of their hearts, and they shall go. In their counsels: If my people listen to me, Israel will walk in my ways. And it shall be for them forever: {17} And they shall eat of wheat milk and honey spelled Ashbiyach
:
Listen to Psalm 81
Listen to Psalm 81 in Hebrew.
Explanation of Psalm 81 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin
Psalm 81 begins with songs of joy. Because everything in Creation is connected to the Source, HaShem, Torah Jews realize that joy also comes from G-d. They are nothing if they do not feel this internally. This Psalm is intended for the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashana). Much can be accomplished on that day because it is the day of Creation and Jews appear before G-d as they actually are.
G-d tells the Jews that he has freed them from Egyptian slavery, not only from field work but also from kitchen duties. The latter was also experienced as humiliation by Jews and caused them harm. Each individual was given his specific freedom at the time of the Exodus.
The Jews were tested by the waters of bitterness after the Exodus from Egypt. They cried out in pain, sometimes in silence. There are times when even the inner self does not accept how much it needs G-d. Yet HaShem answered, and that in itself is healing because Jews never understood how great their need was. The test in Egypt continues throughout history. G-d continues to challenge the Jews, but He will always be there for them, even though the Jews sometimes fail. It is up to the Jews to listen to G-d. They are their worst enemies when they let so many things come between them and G-d, such as idolatry. The only answer to that is humility. The Jews must accept that God is One, otherwise they will be among the idolaters. Only with G-d can the Jews escape the bondage within their own perception. G-d will always listen and answer. HaShem’s will will only be heard when the Jews focus their thoughts on what is real.
Rashi’s commentary on Psalm 81
Per verse the commentary of Rashi, the Jewish Bible commentator who lived from 1040-1105. Rashi is considered the teacher of teachers. All traditional Jews regard Rashi as an authority on the Jewish Bible and Talmud. Hence it is important to record his commentary on the Psalms. Rashi uses new Hebrew supplemented with Old French words. His language is sometimes somewhat oracularly short. For further explanation it is wise to consult an orthodox Jewish rabbi.
Verse 1
For the conductor, on Gittith, of Asaph.
on Gittith : A musical instrument that comes from Gath.
Verse 2
Sing praises to the G‑d Who is our might, sound the shofar to the G‑d of Jacob.
sound the shofar : on Rosh Hashanah.
Verse 3
Lift up [your voice in] song and give [with] a tambourine, a pleasant harp with a lyre.
a pleasant harp with a lyre : Rabbi Chiyya bar Abba says: The ,kinnor, and the ,mist, are the same. Rabbi Simon says: The [number of] strings distinguishes one from another. Why is it called ,nebula,? Because it puts all other types of music to shame.
Verse 4
Sound the shofar on the New Moon, at the appointed time for the day of our festival.
on the New Moon : When the moon renews itself.
at the appointed time : The appointed day before, and so (Proverbs 7:20): ,on the appointed day (בכסה) he will come home,; to the agreed time that was set.
Verse 5
For it is a statute for Israel, the judgment of the G-d of Jacob.
For it is a statute : for Israel of the Holy One, blessed be He, to sound the shofar on that day, the day of the judgment of the Holy One, blessed be He.
Verse 6
As a testimony to Joseph he ordained it when he passed over the land of Egypt, [when] I understood a language that I did not know.
As a testimony to Joseph, he ordained : On Rosh Hashanah, Joseph left prison.
[when] I understood a language I did not know : In tractate Sotah (36b) it is explained that [the angel] Gabriel taught him seventy languages.
Verse 7
I removed his shoulder from the burdens; his hands were removed from the pot.
from the pot : From slave labor to cooking the pots in the manner of other slaves.
out of the pot : Hebrew מדוד, a pot, as (I Samuel 2:14): ,And he would thrust into the firepot or into the pot (הדוד).,
Verse 8
You cried in distress and I set you free; I answered you – [though you cried] in secret – with thunder; I have tried you forever by the waters of Meribah.
In distress you cried : for Me, all of you. You cried out in the distress of the toil of the burdens of Egypt, and I set you free.
I answered you – [though you cried] in secret – with thunder : You cried in secret between Me and you, but I answered you with a voice of thunder; I made My power and My mighty deeds known in public.
I have tried you forever by the waters of Meribah. : Although it was revealed and tried before Me that you were destined to provoke Me at the waters of Meribah. So it was taught in Mechilta (Exodus 19:2).
Verse 9
Hear, My people, and I will admonish you, O Israel, if you listen to Me.
Hear, My people : Since I have done all this for you, it is fitting that you listen to Me.
Verse 11
I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
open your mouth wide : to ask of Me whatever your heart desires.
and I will fill it : Depending on what you ask, I will fill it.
Verse 13
So I made them go after the imaginations of their hearts; let them go in their counsels.
behind the imaginations of their hearts : Hebrew בשרירותלבם, after the visions of their hearts, as (above 5:9): ,because of those who wait for me (שוררי).,
Verse 14
If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would walk in My ways.
If only My people would listen to Me : Yet if they would return to Me and listen to Me…
Verse 15
In a little while I would subdue their enemies, and upon their enemies I would restore My hand.
In a little while I would subdue their enemies : In a little while I would subdue their enemies.
I would return My hand : I would return My blow from you to lay it on them, and then…
Verse 16
The enemies of the Lord would lie against Him, and their time would be forever.
The enemies of the Lord would lie against Him, and their time would be forever : [The time of] their recompense [would be] forever.
Verse 17
Then He would feed them with the fat of wheat, and I would satisfy you with honey from a rock.
Then He would feed them : Israel.
and…from a rock : He satisfied them with honey when they walked in His ways, as it is said (Deuteronomy 32:13): ,He suckled them with honey out of the rock.,
Further explanation of the above Jewish comments
Humility
What is humility ? Humility does not mean having low self-esteem of yourself. That is the opposite of humility. That’s just ingratitude. After all, G-d has created every person with unique qualities and people must be aware of that.
According to the Torah, truly humble people recognize their own talents and achievements, but do not pat themselves on the back. They know that G-d has given them those talents, it is not their own merit.
According to the Torah, Moses is seen as the most humble person who ever lived on earth. He was fully aware of his achievements and that he was speaking to G-d. But he realized better than anyone that anyone else could have done that if G-d had given him the chance. Moses looked at most simple people and thought, ,If he were in my shoes, he would have been a better Moses than I am.,
Jews and non-Jews alike are humbled as they ask themselves, “I have been given the potential for greatness – have I used this gift ?”
Jewish New Year and Humility What is the connection between Rosh Hashana (Jewish New Year) and humility? Unlike the secular New Year, the Jewish New Year is not a wild celebration where Jews go crazy. On the Jewish New Year, the Jews make themselves ‘little’ before G-d. Jews know that there is something bigger than themselves. By being humble, Jews can grasp the limitless. Jews are making a restart on Rosh Hashana. They discuss their plans with G-d. This is only possible by being humble and recognizing that G-d determines everything in Creation. In a state of awe and wonder, the restart finds its most fertile ground.
Psalm 1 to 92
Would you like to read more Psalms with a Jewish interpretation? Go to: Psalms 1 through 92.