Psalm 81 3

Psalm 81:3 kjv

Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

Psalm 81:3 nkjv

Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, At the full moon, on our solemn feast day.

Psalm 81:3 niv

Sound the ram's horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;

Psalm 81:3 esv

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.

Psalm 81:3 nlt

Blow the ram's horn at new moon,
and again at full moon to call a festival!

Psalm 81 verses

Psalm 81 3 Meaning

Psalm 81:3 is a divine command to Israel, exhorting them to celebrate God's appointed festivals with trumpet blasts. It specifies key times in their sacred calendar: the beginning of each month (new moon) and, more specifically, the major pilgrimage festivals occurring around the full moon. This verse underscores the importance of worshipping God through ceremonial observances that were integral to Israel's covenant relationship and communal life.

Psalm 81 3 Context

Psalm 81 is a vivid psalm of communal worship, often interpreted as being specifically connected to the Feast of Tabernacles or Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets), which occur in the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The psalm begins with an exuberant call to sing aloud to God, who is Israel's strength, and to make a joyful shout. Verse 3, therefore, flows directly from this call to celebratory worship, specifying how and when this worship should occur. Historically, the passage serves as a reminder of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt (mentioned later in the psalm) and His establishment of the Mosaic Covenant, urging obedience to His commands. The appointed feast days were times for Israel to remember God's mighty acts, receive His blessings, and renew their covenant commitment.

Psalm 81 3 Word analysis

• Blow (תִּקְעוּ - Tiq'u): This is a strong, authoritative verb in the Hiphil imperative, plural. It means to "thrust in," "strike," "clap," "drive," or "sound forth" a trumpet. It's not a mere suggestion but a direct, active command for the community to perform. It signifies an intentional and public proclamation or assembly.
• the trumpet (בַּשּׁוֹפָר - bashshophar): The shofar is a ram's horn, an ancient wind instrument used for sacred purposes. It's not merely a musical instrument; its sound was symbolic – used to call assemblies, sound alarms for war, announce the presence of God (as at Sinai), signal the coronation of kings, and express joyous worship. The specific material (ram's horn) distinguishes it from silver trumpets and adds to its primitive and resonant symbolism, often associated with covenant and God's powerful voice.
• at the new moon (בַּחֹדֶשׁ - baḥodesh): Ḥodesh refers to "month" or "new moon." The first day of each month was observed by Israel as a minor holy day, involving special sacrifices and often communal gathering (Num 28:11-15). It symbolized renewal and fresh consecration. Notably, the first day of the seventh month (Tishrei) was the "Feast of Trumpets" (Rosh Hashanah), a very significant "new moon" heralded by shofar blasts.
• at the full moon (בַּכֶּסֶה - bakkeseh): The Hebrew word keseh (from kasah, "to cover" or "conceal") is unique here. While some translations might say "appointed time," most scholarly interpretations understand it as "full moon." This makes sense calendrically as major festivals often occurred around the middle of the month when the moon is full, "covered" in light. It serves to distinguish between the beginning-of-the-month observances and mid-month pilgrimage festivals.
• on our feast day (לְיוֹם חַגֵּנוּ - l'yom ḥaggēnû): Yom means "day," and chag (from chagag, "to dance," "keep a festival") refers specifically to the three annual pilgrimage festivals—Passover/Unleavened Bread, Weeks (Pentecost), and Tabernacles (Sukkot)—where all Israelite males were required to appear before the Lord. The suffix "our" (וּ - enu) emphasizes this as Israel's God-given, collective observance. This verse particularly points to the Feast of Trumpets (new moon of the 7th month) and the Feast of Tabernacles (beginning on the 15th, or "full moon," of the 7th month), which were both celebrated with great joy and significance in the autumn.

Words-group analysis:

• Blow the trumpet: This phrase highlights an essential, God-commanded act of public worship. It is not just about making a sound; it is about proclamation, assembly, and spiritual awakening. It's a call to attention, remembrance, and reverence for the divine.
• at the new moon, at the full moon: These precise chronological markers emphasize that Israel's worship was tied to God's divinely appointed calendar, not human preference. It speaks to order, obedience, and the cyclical rhythm of acknowledging God's providence and covenant in every season. These phrases also distinguish specific points in the monthly cycle when particular types of celebration were commanded.
• on our feast day: This grounds the instruction within Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh. These are their feasts, given to them by God, for their communal participation. It is a reminder that worship is communal and celebrated through God-ordained means, cementing their identity as God's chosen people.

Psalm 81 3 Bonus section

The Hebrew word shofar itself carries immense theological weight. Its sound is primitive and primal, designed to pierce through distraction and command attention. Beyond ceremonial blasts, the shofar was linked to the voice of God Himself (Ex 19:16), divine intervention (Josh 6), prophetic warning (Jer 4:5), and ultimately, the sound of the resurrection and Christ's glorious return (1 Thess 4:16; 1 Cor 15:52). Thus, the command to "blow the trumpet" in Psalm 81:3 carries an inherent urgency and prophetic significance beyond a simple ritual. It foreshadows the great final blast that will signal God's ultimate triumph and gathering of His people. The focus on the 7th month festivals, particularly Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets), traditionally viewed as the day of judgment and new beginning, gives Psalm 81:3 a distinct focus on accountability, spiritual awakening, and hope for future fulfillment in the divine calendar.

Psalm 81 3 Commentary

Psalm 81:3 serves as a resounding call to communal, appointed worship. The directive to "Blow the trumpet" at specific times — the new moon and particularly the "feast day" (interpreted as the major pilgrimage festivals of the 7th month: Feast of Trumpets and Feast of Tabernacles) — underscores the theocratic nature of Israelite life. The shofar blast was not merely ceremonial sound; it was a potent symbol of God's powerful voice, a summons to attention, a memorial of past deliverance (like Sinai), and a call to renew covenant obligations. For the new moon, it signified the rhythmic observance of God's calendrical order, acknowledging Him at the start of each month. For the full moon (especially of the 7th month), it specifically points to the joyous Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), a time of harvest thanksgiving and remembering God's faithful dwelling with Israel in the wilderness.

The verse is an exhortation to joyfully participate in the worship forms prescribed by God, reminding the Israelites that true spiritual vitality is found in obedience and joyous remembrance of God's works and His Law. It is a reminder that the times of worship were set by God, binding the people to His divine rhythm and purpose.

Examples of practical usage:

• Communal Worship: Reminds believers of the importance of gathering together for worship on appointed times.
• Intentionality: Encourages a thoughtful, intentional approach to worship, not just passive attendance.
• Proclamation: Inspires the idea that our worship, like the trumpet, should loudly proclaim God's goodness and majesty to the world.
• Spiritual Awakening: A call to introspection and readiness, much like the shofar awakens people for Rosh Hashanah.