Psalms 81:3
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.
Original Language Analysis
תִּקְע֣וּ
Blow up
H8628
תִּקְע֣וּ
Blow up
Strong's:
H8628
Word #:
1 of 6
to clatter, i.e., slap (the hands together), clang (an instrument); by analogy, to drive (a nail or tent-pin, a dart, etc.); by implication, to become
שׁוֹפָ֑ר
the trumpet
H7782
שׁוֹפָ֑ר
the trumpet
Strong's:
H7782
Word #:
3 of 6
a cornet (as giving a clear sound) or curved horn
בַּ֝כֵּ֗סֶה
in the time appointed
H3677
בַּ֝כֵּ֗סֶה
in the time appointed
Strong's:
H3677
Word #:
4 of 6
properly, fulness or the full moon, i.e., its festival
Historical Context
The Jewish calendar was lunar, with each month beginning at the new moon. The seventh month (Tishri) was especially sacred: Day 1 = Trumpets, Day 10 = Atonement, Days 15-22 = Tabernacles. The shophar connected Israel to the ram caught in the thicket (Genesis 22:13), Sinai's thunder (Exodus 19:16), and Jericho's victory (Joshua 6:4-5).
Questions for Reflection
- How do the appointed festivals of Israel point forward to Christ's work and second coming?
- What does the shophar's alarm teach about spiritual alertness and the urgency of repentance?
- How should Christians observe sacred rhythms and appointed times to remember God's faithfulness?
Analysis & Commentary
Blow up the trumpet in the new moon (תִּקְעוּ בַחֹדֶשׁ שׁוֹפָר)—The shophar (ram's horn) announced the chodesh (new moon), particularly the seventh month's new moon (Tishri), the Feast of Trumpets. In the time appointed (bakeseh, 'at the full moon') refers to Passover (Nisan 15) or Tabernacles (Tishri 15), both celebrated at full moon.
On our solemn feast day (chag)—the three pilgrimage festivals (Passover, Pentecost, Tabernacles) when all males appeared before the Lord (Deuteronomy 16:16). The shophar's piercing blast summoned Israel to remembrance, repentance, and renewal—foreshadowing the 'last trumpet' of 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 when Christ returns.