Oh, That My People Would Listen to Me
Sing aloud to God, our strength! Make a joyful shout to the God of Jacob!
Lift up a song and bring forth a tambourine, a sweet-sounding harp along with the lyre.
Blow the shofar at the New Moon, at the full moon, on the day of our festival.
For it is a statute for Israel, a mandate from the God of Jacob.
He set it up in Joseph as a testimony; when he went out against the land of Egypt, I heard speech that I did not know.
“I removed his shoulder from the burden. His hands were freed from the basket.
You called in distress, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
“Hear, O my people, and I will admonish you, O Israel, if you would only hear me!
There must be no strange god among you, nor should you bow down to any foreign god.
I am Yahweh your God, the one who brought you up from the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.
But my people did not listen to my voice, and Israel did not want me.
So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their hearts, they walked according to their own plans.
Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
I would quickly humble their enemies and turn my hand against their foes.
Those who hate Yahweh will come to him trembling, and may the time of their humiliation be perpetual.
But Yahweh would feed Israel with the fat of the wheat. Yes, I will satisfy you with honey out of the rock.”