Psalms 81:5
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.
Original Language Analysis
שָׂמ֗וֹ
This he ordained
H7760
שָׂמ֗וֹ
This he ordained
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
3 of 11
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בְּ֭צֵאתוֹ
when he went out
H3318
בְּ֭צֵאתוֹ
when he went out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
4 of 11
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
שְׂפַ֖ת
a language
H8193
שְׂפַ֖ת
a language
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
8 of 11
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Psalms 114:1When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;Jeremiah 5:15Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.Deuteronomy 28:49The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;Psalms 77:15Thou hast with thine arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.Exodus 12:27That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses. And the people bowed the head and worshipped.Exodus 11:4And Moses said, Thus saith the LORD, About midnight will I go out into the midst of Egypt:Exodus 12:12For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the LORD.
Historical Context
Joseph's descent to Egypt (Genesis 37-50) providentially positioned Israel for 430 years in a foreign land (Exodus 12:40-41). The Egyptian language and culture were utterly alien to Hebrew shepherds. The Passover and other festivals were established as perpetual memorials (edut) so Israelites would tell their children 'what the Lord did for me when I came out of Egypt' (Exodus 13:8).
Questions for Reflection
- How does remembering past seasons of 'Egyptian bondage' (spiritual slavery, pre-conversion life) strengthen present faithfulness?
- Why does God establish testimonies and memorials rather than trusting each generation to maintain spiritual fervor independently?
- What 'strange language' (worldly philosophy, cultural pressure) threatens to drown out God's clear voice today?
Analysis & Commentary
This he ordained in Joseph for a testimony (עֵדוּת בִּיהוֹסֵף שָׂמוֹ)—Edut (testimony, witness) often refers to the tablets of the Law (Exodus 25:16). Joseph here represents the entire nation descended from Jacob, particularly Ephraim (Joseph's son), the leading northern tribe. When he went out through the land of Egypt recalls the Exodus.
Where I heard a language that I understood not—Israel's oppression under Egyptian taskmasters speaking a foreign tongue. The sudden shift to first person ('I heard') may represent the psalmist identifying with Israel's slavery, or it introduces God's direct speech (continuing through v. 16). This festival testimony ensured each generation would know the bitterness of slavery and sweetness of redemption.