Psalm 81 begins like a hymnic praise psalm (vv. 1–5) but the bulk of it is a prophetic oracle (vv. 6–16; cf. Pss. 50; 95). While the divine oracle warns the congregation of their obligation to listen and obey, the psalm opens with a clear call for celebration (so also Ps. 95, another prophetic psalm). Joy is to characterize their relationship because Yahweh has liberated them from servitude and has promised protection and provision. Moreover, the kind of commitment that Yahweh demands is not arduous; it is thoroughly reasonable in view of the gracious relationship he has established.

81:1–5 The opening imperatives call for corporate praise expressed through singing, shouting, and musical instruments (vv. 1–3). They specify the setting for this psalm as the day of our Feast, which points to …