Psa 81:5-10 | Clarke | e4.org | Verse 5. I heard a language I understood not. ] This passage is difficult. Who heard? And what was heard? All the Versions , except the Chaldee , read the pronoun in the third person, instead of the first . "He heard a language that he understood not." And to the Versions Kennicott reforms the text, sephath lo yadah yisma ; "a language which he did not understand he heard." But what was that language ? Some say the Egyptian ; others, who take Joseph to signify the children of Israel in general, say it was the declaration of God by Moses, that Jehovah was the true God, that he would deliver their shoulder from their burdens, and their hands from the pots -the moulds and furnaces in which they formed and baked their brick.

‏ Psalms 81:5-10

Verse 5. I heard a language I understood not.] This passage is difficult. Who heard? And what was heard? All the Versions, except the Chaldee, read the pronoun in the third person, instead of the first. "He heard a language that he understood not." And to the Versions Kennicott reforms the text, sephath lo yadah yisma; "a language which he did not understand he heard." But what was that language? Some say the Egyptian; others, who take Joseph to signify the children of Israel in general, say it was the declaration of God by Moses, that Jehovah was the true God, that he would deliver their shoulder from their burdens, and their hands from the pots-the moulds and furnaces in which they formed and baked their brick.

Verse 7. Thou calledst in trouble] They had cried by reason of their burdens, and the cruelty of their task-masters; and God heard that cry, and delivered them. See Ex 3:7, &c.

In the secret place of thunder] On Mount Sinai; where God was heard, but not seen. They heard a voice, but they saw no shape.

At the waters of Meribah.] See this transaction, Ex 17:1, &c.

Verse 8. Hear, O my people] These are nearly the same words with those spoken at the giving of the law, Ex 20:2.

Verse 10. Open thy mouth wide] Let thy desires be ever so extensive, I will gratify them if thou wilt be faithful to me. Thou shalt lack no manner of thing that is good.