Psalms 81:5

5 When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say:

Psalms 81:5 in Other Translations

5 This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that I understood not.

5 He made it a decree in Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt. I hear a language I had not known:

5 He made it a law for Israel when he attacked Egypt to set us free. I heard an unknown voice say,

5 He commanded Joseph to keep this day so we'd never forget what he did in Egypt. I hear this most gentle whisper from One I never guessed would speak to me:

5 He set it up as an ordinance for Joseph when He went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard an unfamiliar language:

Psalms 81:5 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 81:5

This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony
That is, this law concerning the blowing of trumpets on the new moon, and the keeping the solemn feast at the full of the moon, was made to be observed by all Israel, who are meant by Joseph, for a testimony of God's good will to them, and of their duty and obedience to him:

when he went out through the land of Egypt,
or "over it" ^F2; which some understand of Joseph, who is said to go over all the land of Egypt, to gather in provision against the seven years of famine, ( Genesis 41:45 Genesis 41:46 ) and Jarchi says that his deliverance from prison was at the beginning of the year, and was advanced in Pharaoh's court: and the meaning is, either "when he", the Lord, "went out against the land of Egypt", so Arama, in order to slay their firstborn; and when he passed over Israel, and saved them; marched through the land in his indignation, and went forth for the salvation of his people, ( Exodus 11:4 ) ( Habakkuk 3:12 Habakkuk 3:13 ) then was the ordinance of the passover appointed: or when Israel went out of Egypt, designed by Joseph, some little time after, while in the wilderness, and dwelling in tents, the feast of tabernacles was instituted; but rather this shows that the feast of passover is before meant, which was instituted at the time of Israel's going out of Egypt, and was the solemn feast day ordained for a statute, law and testimony in Israel; and that the new moon, or month rather, on which the trumpet was to be blown, was the month Abib, the beginning of months, by an ordinance of God, ( Exodus 12:2 ) ( Exodus 13:3 Exodus 13:4 )

where I heard a language that I understood not;
here the prophet represents the people of Israel in Egypt; though the Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, Syriac, and Arabic versions, read,

he heard, and he understood not
and the language is either the voice of God out of the fire, which before was never heard in this unusual manner, nor understood, ( Deuteronomy 5:24 Deuteronomy 5:26 ) or the speech of Moses, who had Aaron for his mouth and spokesman; or rather the Egyptian language, which was not understood by the Israelites without an interpreter, ( Genesis 42:23 ) which sense is confirmed by ( Psalms 114:1 ) , and this is mentioned as an aggravation of their affliction in Egypt; see ( Jeremiah 5:15 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 (Ura le wtaub) "in ipsum exeundo", Montanus; "cum exiret ipse super terram", Pagninus.

Psalms 81:5 In-Context

3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and when the moon is full, on the day of our festival;

4 this is a decree for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob.

5 When God went out against Egypt, he established it as a statute for Joseph. I heard an unknown voice say:

6 “I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket.

7 In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah.

Cross References

• 1. S Exodus 11:4
• 2. Psalms 114:1