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 when God went out to punish Egypt. There we heard a language we didn't understand.
6 God 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 put you to the test at the waters of Meribah. Selah
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 strange gods.
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.