Oh That My People Would Listen to Me

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading & Sermon — Psalm 81
• Prayer

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Sermon Title: Prepared to Worship — Redemption, Obstruction, and Invitation

Scripture: Psalm 81

I. Why We Worship (Psalm 81:4–7)

A. The call to worship in verses 1–3 is structured for the whole congregation

1. Verse 1 — the whole congregation called to sing and shout
2. Verse 2 — the Levites called as musicians (including Asaph, the author)
3. Verse 3 — the priests called to blow the trumpets

B. The psalm recalls God's redemption of Israel from Egypt

1. Verse 6 — God relieved Israel of the burden of the basket (corroborated by archaeological evidence)
2. Verse 7 — God heard their cries and delivered them; the "secret place of thunder" refers to Mount Sinai
3. "Meribah" (the waters of Meribah) refers to Numbers 20 — Israel's contention with Moses over water in the desert

C. Worship is a statute and decree, not merely an emotional response

1. Verse 4 — "It is a statute for Israel, a rule of the God of Jacob"
2. Redemption and worship go hand in hand — to be redeemed by God is to become a worshipper of God
3. The preamble and first commandment of the Decalogue (Exodus 20:2–3) summarizes Psalm 81: "I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt… you shall have no other gods before me"
4. The Mosaic covenant is a covenant of grace, not works — obedience is preceded by thanksgiving for redemption
5. Corporate worship is part and parcel of redemption; to claim salvation in Christ while never gathering with the called-out people is a contradiction in terms

II. Obstructions to Proper Worship (Psalm 81:8–12)

A. Verse 8 echoes the Shema of Deuteronomy 6:4–5 — "Hear, O Israel" — but here as an admonishment

1. The language reflects a father's anguish over wayward children: "Oh, if you would just listen to me"
2. Admonishment flows from love and care for the soul, not anger

B. Verse 10 — "Open your mouth wide and I will fill it"

1. Going after other gods means closing our mouths to true food and drink
2. Idols only take — they never satisfy; God alone can fill and satisfy completely
3. The decree to worship God alone is for our benefit and joy, not a cruel burden

C. Verses 11–12 — Israel did not listen; God gave them over to their stubborn hearts

1. Echoes Isaiah 29:13 quoted by Jesus in Matthew 15:8: "This people honors me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me"
2. Coming to worship on festival days with festive spirit while the heart clings to idols Monday through Saturday is lip service
3. Idolatry is not ultimately bowing to another god — it is following one's own counsel, self-autonomy replacing the Lord
4. All idolatry is the manifestation of seeking to be equal with God, to be sovereign over one's own life — the same draw the serpent offered Adam and Eve
5. Idolatry at its core is love of self over love of God, and worship of self over worship of God

III. Incentives for Worship (Psalm 81:13–16)

A. Verse 13 — the language of a father pleading for a wayward son, reminiscent of the parable of the prodigal son

1. Alexander McLaren: "There is a world of baffled tenderness… It would have been no cause of astonishment if other nations had not listened. But that the tribes bound by so many kindnesses should have been deaf is a sad marvel."
2. Echoes Hebrews 6 — those who have tasted the goodness of God and turn away; a sad marvel and tragedy

B. Verses 14–15 — the promise to subdue Israel's enemies

1. Israel's history shows that idolatry almost always preceded enemies overtaking them — they often worshipped the very gods of their oppressors
2. Idols and sin are enemies that bring misery, heartache, confusion, depression, and loneliness
3. Idols seek to say, "You can't live without me" — illustrated by the trap of addiction
4. God's promise is not that we will subdue our enemies — he says "I will subdue it"; his strength does what we are too weak to do
5. The gospel call is not first to a transformed life but to come to Christ in faith; transformation is a slow, methodical process of sanctification through union and communion with Christ by faith alone

C. Verse 16 — "He would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you"

1. Echoes the words of Christ: "Come to me and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28)
2. The soul that is sin-sick and sin-weary is invited to find rest, peace, and satisfaction in Christ alone
3. Practical exhortation: prepare your heart before Sunday worship, even Saturday evening, bringing your allegiance to God and Christ alone