Psalms 81:4 Meaning and Explanation
“For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →These festival practices were established by God as binding law for Israel.
The Context of Psalms 81:4
Israel's festivals were divinely mandated practices, not cultural innovations.
What Does Psalms 81:4 Mean?
The verse roots Israel's festival system in divine law rather than human custom. The term 'statute' (Hebrew chok) indicates a decree that carries God's authority and is meant to be perpetual. This grounded Israel's worship practices in covenant obligation, not mere preference or tradition.
By attributing these laws to 'the God of Jacob,' the psalm connects current practice to God's ancient covenant with Israel's patriarch. This genealogical connection reassured Israel that their worship life participated in a relationship established long before and promised to endure.
Psalms 81:4 in the Original Language
statute (חֹק, choq) — a divine decree or ordinance meant to be kept perpetually
Frequently Asked Questions About Psalms 81:4
What does Psalms 81:4 mean?
These festival practices were established by God as binding law for Israel.
What is the context of Psalms 81:4?
Israel's festivals were divinely mandated practices, not cultural innovations.