Psalm 81 is a call to worship — a summons to gather before God with reverence, joy, and obedience. In this message, we explore Psalm 81 as a "Psalm for the Solemn Feast Day," written by Asaph to guide God's people as they gathered for worship at Israel's appointed feasts. Though the specific feast is not named, the psalm was suitable for every sacred gathering, reminding worshippers of both God's grace and their responsibility before Him. The psalm opens with a clear call to worship — joyful praise, reverent music, and the blowing of the trumpet at God's appointed time. Worship is not casual or optional; it is ordained by God for His glory and our good. The feasts reminded Israel of redemption — deliverance from Egypt, provision in the wilderness, and God's faithfulness through every trial. But Psalm 81 also carries a solemn warning. God laments a people who gathered outwardly yet refused to listen inwardly. Worship without obedience, gratitude, and hunger for God's Word leads to spiritual barrenness. True worship demands open hearts, attentive ears, and lives shaped by Scripture. The psalm closes with a promise: if God's people would listen and walk in His ways, He would feed them with "the finest of the wheat" and "honey out of the rock." Here is a call to rediscover worship that is serious, joyful, Word-centred, and deeply satisfying.
