[1] Be happy and sing to God our strength. Shout with joy to the God of Israel.
[2] Begin the music. Play the tambourines. Play the pleasant harps and lyres.
[3] Blow the ram’s horn at the time of the new moon, Blow the ram’s horn at the time of the full moon. when our holiday begins.
[4] That is a law for the people of Israel. God gave that command to Jacob.
[5] God made this Agreement with Joseph when God took him out of Egypt. In Egypt we heard that language we didn’t understand.
[6] God says, “I took the load from your shoulder. I let you drop the worker’s basket.
[7] You people were in trouble. You called for help and I set you free. I was hidden in the storm clouds, and I answered you. I tested you by the water at Meribah.”
[8] “My people, listen to me, and I will give you my Agreement Israel, please listen to me!
[9] Don’t worship any of the false gods that the foreigners worship.
[10] I, the Lord, am your God. I brought you out of Egypt. Israel, open your mouth, and I will feed you.
[11] “But my people did not listen to me. Israel did not obey me.
[12] So I let them do what they wanted to do. Israel did anything they wanted to do.
[13] If my people would listen to me and live the way I want,
[14] then I would defeat their enemies. I would punish the people who bring troubles to Israel.
[15] The Lord’s enemies would shake with fear. They would be punished forever.
[16] God would give the best wheat to his people. The Rock would give honey to his people until they were satisfied.