Psalms 81:7

7 In distress thou hast called and I deliver thee, I answer thee in the secret place of thunder, I try thee by the waters of Meribah. Selah.

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 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.

6 From the burden his shoulder I turned aside, His hands from the basket pass over.

7 In distress thou hast called and I deliver thee, I answer thee in the secret place of thunder, I try thee by the waters of Meribah. Selah.

8 Hear, O My people, and I testify to thee, O Israel, if thou dost hearken to me:

9 There is not in thee a strange god, And thou bowest not thyself to a strange god.