Psalms 81:3

Old Testament Poetry/Hymns ASV (1901)

What does Psalms 81:3 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast-day.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast-day.
Psalms 81:3 — American Standard Version

Context — Psalms 81

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3Blow the trumpet at the new moon, At the full moon, on our feast-day.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, etc.] Either in every new moon, or first day of the month, which was religiously observed by the Jews, (<120423>2 Kings 4:23) or rather the new moon, or first day of the seventh month, the month Tisri, which day was a memorial of blowing of trumpets, (<032334>Leviticus 23:34), and so the Targum, “blow the trumpet in the month of Tisri,” when their new year began, and was typical of the year of the redeemed of the Lord, of the acceptable year of our God, of the famous new year, the Gospel dispensation, when old things passed away, and all things became new. The Jews say this blowing of trumpets was in commemoration of Isaac’s deliverance, a ram being…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Blow up the trumpet - The word rendered blow means to make a clangor or noise as on a trumpet. The trumpet was, like the timbrel, the harp, and the psaltery, a common instrument of music, and was employed on all their festive occasions. It was at first made of horn, and then was made similar in shape to a horn. Compare Joshua 6:5; Leviticus 25:9; Job 39:25. In the new moon - On the festival held at the time of the new moon. There was a high festival on the appearance of the new moon in the month of Tisri, or October, which was the beginning of their civil year, and it is not improbable that the return of each new moon was celebrated with special services. See the notes at Isaiah 1:13;…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“81:3 The ram’s horn mustered armies and announced special holy days (47:5; 98:6). • new moon: The first day of the lunar month marked a festival.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Blow: Psa 98:6; Num 10:1-9; Ch1 15:24, Ch1 16:6, Ch1 16:42; Ch2 5:12, Ch2 13:12, Ch2 13:14 new: Lev 23:24, Lev 23:25; Num 10:10, Num 28:11; Kg2 4:23; Col 2:16 solemn: Num 15:3; Deu 16:15; Ch2 2:4, Ch2 8:13; Lam 2:6; Nah 1:15 Psalms 81:5”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification