Psalms 81:3

Blow vp the trumpet in the new Moone: in the time appointed on our solemne feast day. Psalms 81:3 (KJV)

The psalm is attributed to Asaph, one of the chief musicians in the time of King David. In this verse Asaph calls the people to sound the trumpet—often a shofar—on the occasion of the new moon and at the appointed time during the solemn feast day. In the ancient Israelite calendar the new moon marked the beginning of a new month and was a moment of special importance. It was regularly observed as a time for worship, celebration, and the offering of sacrifices.

The blowing of the trumpet was a common practice in biblical worship. It served to announce religious festivals, draw the attention of the community, and act as a audible reminder of God’s presence and His covenant with His chosen people. The phrase “in the time appointed” indicates that the sounding of the trumpet was to occur at a specific, divinely‑designated moment, underscoring the need for the people to obey God’s prescribed timing and order in worship rather than follow personal preference or arbitrary schedules.

The reference to the “solemn feast day” further highlights the gravity of the occasion. The Hebrew word translated as “hag” can denote a feast and is most often applied to the three pilgrimage festivals—Passover, Pentecost (the Feast of Weeks), and Tabernacles (the Feast of Booths). However, the term is also used for other celebrations. These festivals were key annual gatherings when the Israelites would travel to Jerusalem, worship together, and present sacrifices to the Lord.

Thus, the verse calls the faithful to observe the appointed times of worship with reverence, using the trumpet as a signal of communal devotion and as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and His people. By aligning worship with the divine calendar, the community affirms its dependence on God’s order and celebrates the holy feasts that define Israel’s identity and worship life.