Psalms 81:7

7 (80-8) Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee: I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.

Psalms 81:7 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 81:7

Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee
That is, when Israel were in trouble in Egypt, as the Targum adds, and they cried unto the Lord in their distress, he heard them, and answered them, and sent them a deliverer, and brought them out of all their troubles, ( Exodus 3:7-10 ) .

I answered thee in the secret place of thunder;
by bringing the plague of thunder and lightnings upon the Egyptians, when the Israelites were hidden from them; a sense given by some, as Kimchi observes: or rather this was done when the Lord looked out of the pillar of cloud at the Red sea upon the Egyptian host, and troubled them; at which time the voice of his thunder was heard in heaven, ( Psalms 77:16-18 ) . Some think this has reference to the thunder at the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; but the sense before given is best:

I proved thee at the waters of Meribah;
by withholding water from them to try them, and see whether they would behave patiently, and put their trust and confidence in the Lord, or not; see ( Exodus 17:4-7 ) .

Selah. (See Gill on Psalms 3:2).

Psalms 81:7 In-Context

5 (80-6) He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt: he heard a tongue which he knew not.

6 (80-7) He removed his back from the burdens: his hands had served in baskets.

7 (80-8) Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee: I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.

8 (80-9) Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,

9 (80-10) there shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.