Psalm 81:3

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 81:3

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon ,.... Either in every new moon, or first day of the month, which was religiously observed by the Jews, 2 Kings 4:23 or rather the new moon, or first day of the seventh month, the month Tisri, which day was a memorial of blowing of trumpets, Leviticus 23:34 , and so the Targum, "blow the trumpet in the month of Tisri,' when their new year began, and was typical of the year of the redeemed of the Lord, of the acceptable year of our God, of the famous... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:3

Blow up the trumpet - שופר shophar , a species of horn. Certainly a wind instrument, as the two last were stringed instruments. Perhaps some chanted a psalm in recitativo, while all these instruments vere used as accompaniments. In a representative system of religion, such as the Jewish, there must have been much outside work, all emblematical of better things: no proof that such things should be continued under the Gospel dispensation, where outsides have disappeared, shadows flown... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:3

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon. There was a Mowing of trumpets at the beginning of every month ( Numbers 10:10 ), in connection with the appointed sacrifices (Leviticus 28:11-15); so that the month intended cannot, so far, i.e. fixed. As, however, the chief blowing of trumpets was on the first day of the seventh month (Le 23:24), most commentators regard the psalm as composed for this occasion. There are some, however, as Hengstenberg, Professor Cheyne, and Professor Alexander,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 81:3

Blow up the trumpet - The word rendered blow means to make a clangor or noise as on a trumpet. The trumpet was, like the timbrel, the harp, and the psaltery, a common instrument of music, and was employed on all their festive occasions. It was at first made of horn, and then was made similar in shape to a horn. Compare Joshua 6:5; Leviticus 25:9; Job 39:25.In the new moon - On the festival held at the time of the new moon. There was a high festival on the appearance of the new moon in the month... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 81:3

trumpet. Hebrew. shophar. See note on Numbers 10:2 . day. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "days" (plural): i.e. festivals. read more

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