Psalm 81 (80):4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Here’s the essence: Proclaim with vigor and courage, do not hesitate! As the Prophet expresses, 'Shout and lift up your voice like a trumpet.' Isaiah 58:1 The trumpet is sounded at the onset of a new month, a practice still observed by the Jewish people, though their understanding may fall short. The onset of a new month symbolizes the new moon, which represents new beginnings. What does the new moon signify? Well, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. (2 Cor. 5:17) What is the significance of sounding the trumpet at the start of the month? It calls us to proclaim the new life with boldness, undeterred by the clamor of the former life.

Lift the trumpet at the start of the month. Just as the ancient Israelites, using the trumpets of perception, sounded the horn during the new moon in obedience to God's directive, which served as a reminder of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt, so too does the new creation, having embraced the trumpet of the Gospel, ‘whose broadcasting went out ... into all the earth’ (Rom. 10:18), heed the call to sound the trumpet at the beginning of the month. This signifies the transformation of their minds, as they boldly proclaim and bear witness that God has similarly freed them from their spiritual Egypt, or the dominion of darkness.

The trumpets that God instructed the priests to blow served to remind the people of the trumpets heard on the mountain. When the Almighty spoke on Mount Sinai, it is recorded that the sound of the trumpet was exceedingly loud (Exodus 19:16). The priests utilized these trumpets to call to mind this divine manifestation. Consequently, the seven who returned from exile, having received heavenly assistance as portrayed in the Psalm, are rightly inspired to accompany their praises with trumpets and other instruments.

What is the significance of the figurative expression from the prophet, "Sound the trumpet for the new month, on the blessed day of our feast"? What constitutes a notable feast? The Scriptures instruct that the leaders of the Church should herald this message with the clarion call of doctrine; they should announce it emphatically, symbolizing the mortality of the flesh. They should proclaim it with the arrival of the new moon, for a month derives its name from the moon. The Festival of Trumpets, observed by the Israelites in the seventh month (Leviticus 23:24), is relevant here. On the tenth day of this month, they engaged in the Day of Atonement, and on the fifteenth day, they commemorated the Feast of Tabernacles. We observe these celebrations in a spiritual context.

The Jews established a tradition to blow the trumpet on the first day of the seventh month, which corresponds to our September, as a commemoration of the heavenly trumpet that sounded on Mount Sinai during God's descent. Following this practice, the prophet David metaphorically instructs the apostles to herald the resurrection of Christ through their preaching, designating this proclamation to occur in the "new month," synonymous with the day of Christ’s resurrection, a moment that signifies the renewal of creation. This resurrection day is referred to as the great and celebrated day, recognized as the most significant day, a feast of feasts, as noted by Gregory the Theologian in his Easter discourse.

The prophet clearly states that the one who existed under the law was to sound the trumpet in the new month, but not in every month. Consequently, David refers to the day of honor, signifying the first day of the seventh month. This specific day is designated as significant, being the day mandated by the law, which describes it in these terms: "In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of rest, a feast of trumpets, a holy assembly." Therefore, the psalmist continues to declare that this is the command given to Israel and the decree of the God of Jacob.

The prophet begins by reminding us that our praise of God should arise from a joyful and sincere heart. If the Lord cherishes a generous giver, as the Apostle states in 2 Corinthians 9:7, how much more does He value those who offer their praises with heartfelt joy? Cheerfulness stems from diligence and love; thus, those who sing with laziness or view the Divine office as a burdensome duty display a lack of love for the one they are singing to. He encourages us to rejoice in God, our helper—this signifies praising Him joyfully, knowing that He is both able and willing to assist us in every situation. We are called to raise our voices high in praise of the God of Jacob.

This Psalm was inspired by the Holy Spirit and delivered by David to Asaph, the leader of the singers. It was crafted under divine influence for Asaph to perform, particularly during festive occasions filled with joy and gratitude akin to the abundant outpouring of wine from the vintage, thanking God for His generosity. However, these celebrations also symbolize periods of suffering. The conclusion of the feast signifies the fulfillment of the prophecy regarding Christ's Passion, as well as the tribulations faced by the martyrs and all believers who endure trials for the sake of Christ, pouring out their blood like wine in His holy name.