Psalm 81 – Return to Refuge

Seasons of life come and go. Transitions we go through sometimes lift us to new heights for a hopeful future. But sometimes a downturn in our outlook can leave us in desperate need of new purpose and meaning.

How do you feel about the direction your life is going right now?  Whether your answer is closer to “right on,” or “way off,” here are some thoughts that may help you focus on things that matter most.

God’s Goodness Endures

The literal meaning of the Psalm 81, has the writer Asaph leading worshipers into praise of God as Refuge. They are reminded of the oppressive slavery in Egypt, and of the many miracles God performed as He brought them into their land of promise. They are also reminded of the many times they forgot about the mighty acts God did on their behalf. They often strayed from authentic obedience to God’s ways. Grumbling and complaining replaced gratitude and thanksgiving. In times of waywardness God lifted his hand of blessing. Rejecting God comes with bad spiritual consequences. Man’s disobedience allows for bad things to happen in our natural world too. But God is always right there, hoping and waiting for his children to turn their hearts back to him.

This Psalm was written many years before the arrival of Christ Jesus. Now we can look back on this Psalm through the events of Christ’s death and resurrection. We now have the Holy Spirit to breath new meaning. Figurative interpretation and application yields some incredible parallels between God’s peoples’ wayward hearts spoken of in Psalm 81, and our rebellious hearts today.

Much to Sing About

As the Psalm begins with an exhortation to sing and make music on every kind of instrument imaginable, we are reminded that a heart devoted to God is a worshipping heart. Picture your heart (inner person) becoming the instrument itself that makes music for God and people to hear. Our inner psychological well-being determines, in large measure, the overall health of the rest of our being. A strong mind and emotional wellness keep us singing a happy tune. When our heart is tuned to God’s tuning fork, we are able to play harmonious sounds in perfect pitch. When we stray from the pitch of the Master orchestra leader, our instrument (whole being) becomes harder and harder to play. Without the Director, it is also impossible to stay in sync with the melodies the music was originally written to sound like.

By allowing our hearts to drift from the Master’s voice, we lose our way, and can find ourselves way off course (John 10:1-16). Not only so, but sometimes we tune our hearts to foreign sounds, away from God’s voice. Listening to the wrong voice puts us in certain danger of playing and singing to a wrong melody. This is different from misfortunes that sometimes happen through no fault of our own. The peril we find ourselves in, is no fault of nature, God, or anyone else. It is a result of our own bad choices.

Furthermore, In verse 9, we are warned against following “strange gods” (idols). An idol is anything that takes your affections away from the rightful place God desires (to have for himself) in your life. An idol is any person, place, or thing that becomes a counterfeit comfort, false refuge, or controlling behavior that steals your heart-allegiance away from God. An idol is basically anything that you believe (ever so subtly) is so important, that if it were suddenly taken out of your life, you would have difficulty trusting God to be able to fill the void. An idol is anything you trust in (rely on), to replace your fundamental need for, and devotion to, God himself.

Idols Must Go

If we’re honest about it, that pretty much implicates all of us (to one degree or another). If we are trusting Christ as our Savior and Refuge, we are in a process of sanctification; a process of having our hearts transformed (changed) into the likeness of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). This change includes the ongoing emoval of any idols that may pop up along the journey. Change is something our human nature resists, but is absolutely necessary to break free of the encumbering baggage (idolatry) we carry.

This change is all about yielding more and more parts of our heart that are yet “stubborn,” for them to become tuned to the Master’s voice. “Oh that My people would listen to Me,” (Ps 81:13) says the Master, that you “would walk in My ways!”  In the next two verses God promises to provide Refuge from adversaries, and the final verse of the Psalm says, “I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, And with honey from the rock I would satisfy you” (Ps 81:16). This symbolizes not only a life of survival, but of abundant provision and deep satisfaction. Does this remind you of what Jesus Christ proclaimed of himself? He says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). This Psalm, like many places in the Bible, is an invitation, and promise, that staying close to God’s heart is the most secure and fulfilling Refuge for human life.

When our hearts are free from idols, we are free to hear God’s voice in the clearest way possible, and live the most fulfilling life possible. We are symbolically free of Egypt’s slavery to patterns of behavior that seem to control us instead of us controlling them. When idols are removed, our hearts are also free to make the most melodious music possible.

How do idols work?

            Idols can take different forms for different people. What could be a legitimate need for one person, could be an idol for another. What makes the difference? One difference might be determined by the level of self-willed demand we attach to having a desire fulfilled. When we want it our way so badly, we cannot surrender it to God’s desires (and commands), it becomes an idol. A common example of this in young people involves relating to the opposite sex. When seeking a life partner becomes too strong an obsession, it can lead to compromising moral boundaries God has built into human interaction for healthy relationships. When having a boyfriend or girlfriend becomes more important than sexual integrity, for example, an idol is evident. The idol may be the relationship itself, the personality in the relationship, the sexual experience, or a combination of these or other things.

Introducing sexual relations without a marriage covenant to support true love, reduces a pair to a lustful uniting of two physical bodies. Sex in this case is not part of a loving relationship (as can be enjoyed by a husband and wife), but is a form of idolatry. The Bible is very clear that sexual relations outside of marriage is rebellion against God’s order of creation. Many mistakenly equate sexual intimacy with love. God’s definition of love is spelled out in 1 Corinthians 13. I find it interesting, that romantic love isn’t even mentioned here as  part of the definition. True, agape, self-sacrificing love is the standard God empowers in his people. The truth is, when sex becomes an idol, love is impossible to practice. The idol steals the true meaning and purpose God built into human relationship.

Like so, go other idols. Addictive behaviors are a form of idol worship. The idol (“addiction”) becomes such a huge desire, it overrides rational restrictions. Pornography, drugs and alcohol, too much technology, work, or food can fit into this category. Too much food makes us overweight. Too little food reveals a different kind of obsession such as an idealized physical appearance.

Even positive qualities can become idols. That’s when “ideals” turn to “idols.” For example, money, career, leadership position, family, friends, power, control, perfectionism, physical attractiveness, affirmation, and even aspects of faith like theology or church group can become an idol. This occurs when it dominates our thinking to the extent of distracting us from God’s plan and use for the device, substance, role, or relationship in our lives. Yes, even “good” things can become idolized, if somehow our focus on God loses its central role in the mix.

Psalm 81 Choice

            In summary, God gives us good reason to be joyful, and express our gratitude for his abundant provision and protection. But our experience of Refuge is determined by our choices. We can choose to move towards God and his ways and sing a happy song with the Psalmist. Or, we can choose to move away from God, preferring the idols of this world instead. His call to a transformed life, is our Refuge.

            May I encourage you to take a few moments before this day ends, to get alone with God.  Think of some specific times when God has been there as a Refuge.  Allow genuine gratitude to rise in your spirit as you consider the goodness of God evident in your life already. Then ask yourself a few questions.  Is there anything in my life right now I haven’t fully surrendered to God? Is there a relationship with another person in which God is not being made the center? Are there any idols in my life right now, that are keeping me from making beautiful music (in my heart)?

God Loves You

Do you feel close enough in your relationship with God  to ask him these questions? Do you fear the answer? Let me assure you, (and God wants you to know), He loves and accepts you where you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay where you are. In his grace and mercy there is power to change. You can return to Refuge! 

I would like to encourage you to read Psalm 81 in several translations (including the NASB). I tried to have a “listening ear” as to God’s message for writing this article. But it is not a “final word” by any means. The words here are just a humble snippit of what the Holy Spirit has to say to a listening ear. Before you read, stop and ask God for your own revelation. Yes, you can hear God, and you may be surprised by what he seems to be saying directly to you. May it be music to your ears!