Psalms 81:5

3 Sound the ram’s horn at the New Moon, and at the full moon on the day of our Feast.

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

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

6 “I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket.

7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:
KJV
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.
WEB
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.
ASV
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.
DARBY
He ordained it in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went forth over the land of Egypt, [where] I heard a language that I knew not.
BLB
[As] a testimony He established it in Joseph, in His going forth over the land of Egypt. I heard a language [that] I did not know:
ÅB
Han satte det til et vitnesbyrd i Josef da han[^3] dro ut gjennom Egypt. - Jeg hørte en røst som jeg ikke kjente:[^4]
OTB
Han satte det opp som et vitnesbyrd i Josef,
Da han dro gjennom Egyptens land;
Jeg hørte et språk som var ukjent for meg:
B1930
Han satte det til et vidnesbyrd i Josef da han drog ut gjennem Egyptens land. - Jeg hørte en røst som jeg ikke kjente: / < d.e. Josef.> / < 5MO 4, 33 fg. 5, 22 fg.>

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Jeremiah 5:15

    Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand.

    Read in context
  • Deuteronomy 28:49

    The LORD will bring a nation from afar, from the ends of the earth, to swoop down upon you like an eagle—a nation whose language you will not understand,

    Read in context
  • Psalms 114:1

    When Israel departed from Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,

    Read in context
  • 1 Corinthians 14:21–22

    It is written in the Law: “By strange tongues and foreign lips I will speak to this people, but even then they will not listen to Me, says the Lord.”

    Read in context
  • Isaiah 28:11

    Indeed, with mocking lips and foreign tongues, He will speak to this people

    Read in context
  • Psalms 77:15

    With power You redeemed Your people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah

    Read in context
  • Exodus 11:4

    So Moses declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt,

    Read in context
  • Exodus 13:8–9

    And on that day you are to explain to your son, ‘This is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’

    Read in context