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Psalm 81:6-8
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 81:6-8
New Catholic Bible
6 He imposed this testimony on Joseph[a]
when he departed from the land of Egypt.
I now hear an unfamiliar voice:
7 “I lifted the burden from their shoulders;
their hands put aside the laborer’s basket.[b]
8 When you cried out to me in distress, I rescued you;[c]
from the thunderclouds I answered you;
I tested you at the waters of Meribah: Selah
Footnotes
- Psalm 81:6 Joseph: see note on Ps 77:16. I now hear an unfamiliar voice: the “voice” is the “thunder” of God’s judgment against Egypt (v. 8). Some translate: “We heard a language we did not understand,” and regard it as referring to the fact that the people were aliens in a foreign land (see Ps 114:1; Deut 28:49; 33:19). Some also regard this as a reference to inspiration.
- Psalm 81:7 Burden . . . basket: allusion to the forced labor that the Israelites had to endure in Egypt (see Ex 1:11-14).
- Psalm 81:8 When you cried out . . . I rescued you: see Ex 3:7-10; see also Ps 106:9; Ex 14:21, 24; 15:8, 10. From the thunderclouds: allusion to the theophany at Sinai (see Ex 19:16ff). I tested you . . . Meribah: see Ps 95:8; Ex 17:1-7.
