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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 81:1-7

When the people of God were gathered together in the solemn day, the day of the feast of the Lord, they must be told that they had business to do, for we do not go to church to sleep nor to be idle; no, there is that which the duty of every day requires, work of the day, which is to be done in its day. And here, I. The worshippers of God are excited to their work, and are taught, by singing this psalm, to stir up both themselves and one another to it, Ps. 81:1-3. Our errand is, to give unto... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 81:1

Sing aloud unto God our strength ,.... The strength of Israel, who, by strength of hand, and a mighty arm, brought Israel out of Egypt, protected and upheld them in the wilderness, and brought them to, and settled and established them in the land of Canaan; and who is the strength of every true Israelite, from whom they have both their natural and spiritual strength; so that they can exercise grace, perform duty, bear afflictions, withstand temptations, fight with and conquer enemies, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:1

Sing aloud unto God our strength - There is much meaning here: as God is our strength, let that strength be devoted to his service; therefore, sing aloud! This is principally addressed to the priests and Levites. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:1

Verse 1 1Sing joyfully to God our strength. This psalm, it is probable, was appointed to be sung on the festival days on which the Jews kept their solemn assemblies. In the exordium, there is set forth the order of worship which God had enjoined. They were not to stand deaf and dumb at the tabernacle; for the service of God does not consist in indolence, nor in cold and empty ceremonies; but they were, by such exercises as are here prescribed, to cherish among themselves the unity of faith; to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:1

Sing aloud unto God our Strength. "Loud" singing is regarded as indicative of earnestness and sincerity (see 2 Chronicles 20:19 ; Nehemiah 12:42 ; Psalms 33:3 ; Psalms 98:4 , etc.). (On God as Israel's "Strength," see Psalms 27:1 ; Psalms 28:8 ; Psalms 46:1 ; Psalms 111:7 .) Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. The word translated "make a joyful noise" is especially used of the blare of trumpets (Le 23:24; Numbers 29:1 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:1-3

The consecration of music. Instrumental music was associated with the Mosaic festivals; but the organization of music for ordinary religious worship is supposed to have been the work of David. The important differences between ideas of music in the ancient East and in the modem West needs to be carefully shown. Noise is chiefly considered in the East, harmonies are most valued in the West. Even the chanting at religious services was more like that which we call "Gregorian" than like the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:1-16

Psalms 81:1-5 appear to be the preface of a song of thanksgiving, intended for public recitation at one of the great public festivals—either the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalms 81:6-16 are part of a psalm of complaint, wherein God expostulates with his people. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 81:1

Sing aloud unto God our strength - The strength and support of the nation; he from whom the nation has derived all its power. The word rendered sing aloud means to rejoice; and then, to make or cause to rejoice. It would be appropriate to a high festal occasion, where music constituted an important part of the public service. And it would be a proper word to employ in reference to any of the great feasts of the Hebrews.Make a joyful noise - A noise indicating joy, as distinguished from a noise... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 81:1-3

Psalms 81:1-3. Sing aloud unto God our strength Our refuge and defence against all our enemies. Bring hither the timbrel, &c. All which instruments were then prescribed and used in their solemn meetings. Blow up the trumpet in the new-moon Which was a sacred and festival time. But this may be understood, either, 1st, Generally of every new-moon; or, rather, 2d, Specially of that new-moon which began the seventh month, the month Tisri, when a solemn feast was kept, which was always... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 81:1-16

Psalms 81:0 A festival songIn the traditions that grew up around the Jewish festivals, this song was sung annually at the Feast of Tabernacles. (For this feast see Leviticus 23:33-36,Leviticus 23:39-43.) The song opens with a reminder of God’s command to keep this joyous festival in remembrance of his goodness in saving his people from Egypt (1-5).God then recounts how he lifted the burden of slavery from the backs of his people and looked after them as they travelled through the barren... read more

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