Psalms 81:5

Verse

He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

American Standard Version (1901)

He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language that I knew not.

Bible in Basic English

He gave it to Joseph as a witness, when he went out over the land of Egypt; then the words of a strange tongue were sounding in my ears.

Free Bible Version

God made this statute for Joseph when he opposed the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I didn't know, saying:

Geneva Bible 1599

Hee set this in Ioseph for a testimonie, when hee came out of the land of Egypt, where I heard a language, that I vnderstoode not.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

He appointed it in Joseph [May he add] for a testimony, when he went out over the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], I sh'ma ·heard obeyed· a language that I didn’t know.

Translation for Translators

He commanded us Israeli people to obey it when he punished the people of Egypt. I heard someone [MTY] whose voice I did not recognize, saying,

Unlocked Literal Bible

He issued it as a regulation in Joseph when he went against the land of Egypt, where I heard a voice that I did not recognize:

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

He appointed it in Joseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.

Young's Literal Translation

A testimony on Joseph He hath placed it, In his going forth over the land of Egypt. A lip, I have not known — I hear.

Context

Sing for Joy to God Our Strength

⁴For this is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. ⁵He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

Summary

In this verse, the psalmist recalls a time when God ordained a decree for the people of Israel, a law that they were to follow. This highlights the importance of God's commandments and the covenant relationship He established with His chosen people. The verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in guiding and instructing His children, urging them to heed His instructions and walk in obedience. It emphasizes the significance of honoring and obeying God's Word as a key aspect of the believer's relationship with Him. Ultimately, this verse underscores the timeless relevance of God's decrees and the blessings that come from following His ways.

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

a testimony--The feasts, especially the passover, attested God's relation to His people. Joseph--for Israel (Psa 80:1). went out through--or, "over," that is, Israel in the exodus. I heard--change of person. The writer speaks for the nation. language--literally, "lip" (Psa 14:1). An aggravation or element of their distress that their oppressors were foreigners (Deu 28:49).

John Gill Bible Commentary

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" (b); 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, Gen 41:45 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, Exo 11:4 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, Exo 12:2. 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, Deu 5:24 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, Gen 42:23 which sense is confirmed by Psa 114:1, and this is mentioned as an aggravation of their affliction in Egypt; see Jer 5:15. (b) "in ipsum exeundo", Montanus; "cum exiret ipse super terram", Pagninus.

Psalms 81:5

Sing for Joy to God Our Strength

⁴For this is a statute for Israel, an ordinance of the God of Jacob. ⁵He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

American Standard Version (1901)

He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Egypt, Where I heard a language that I knew not.

Bible in Basic English

He gave it to Joseph as a witness, when he went out over the land of Egypt; then the words of a strange tongue were sounding in my ears.

Free Bible Version

God made this statute for Joseph when he opposed the land of Egypt. I heard a voice I didn't know, saying:

Geneva Bible 1599

Hee set this in Ioseph for a testimonie, when hee came out of the land of Egypt, where I heard a language, that I vnderstoode not.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

One Unity Resource Bible

He appointed it in Joseph [May he add] for a testimony, when he went out over the land of Egypt [Abode of slavery], I sh'ma ·heard obeyed· a language that I didn’t know.

Translation for Translators

He commanded us Israeli people to obey it when he punished the people of Egypt. I heard someone [MTY] whose voice I did not recognize, saying,

Unlocked Literal Bible

He issued it as a regulation in Joseph when he went against the land of Egypt, where I heard a voice that I did not recognize:

Noah Webster Bible

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.

World English Bible

He appointed it in Joseph for a covenant, when he went out over the land of Egypt, I heard a language that I didn’t know.

Young's Literal Translation

A testimony on Joseph He hath placed it, In his going forth over the land of Egypt. A lip, I have not known — I hear.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Psalms 81:5

Verse

Context

Sing for Joy to God Our Strength

Summary

Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Psalms 81:5

Sing for Joy to God Our Strength

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes