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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 81:7 You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/81-7.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/19_Psa_081_007.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 81:7 - Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. 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Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/81.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />In distress you called, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/81.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/81.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah</i><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/81.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I put you to the test at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You called in trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You called in trouble, and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/81.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />You called in distress and I rescued you; I answered you in the hiding place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/81.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You called in [the time of] trouble and I rescued you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/81.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the Waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/81.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/81.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. [Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/81.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />When you were in trouble, I rescued you, and from the thunderclouds, I answered your prayers. Later I tested you at Meribah Spring. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/81.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thou calledst in trouble, and I answered thee in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/81.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />When you were in trouble, you called out [to me], and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your [loyalty] at the oasis of Meribah. [Selah]<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/81.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />When you were in trouble, you called to me, and I saved you. From my hiding place in the storm, I answered you. I put you to the test at the springs of Meribah. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/81.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In a time of need you called out and I delivered you; I answered you from the dark thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Interlude<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/81.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/81.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />In your distress you called out and I rescued you. I answered you from a dark thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. (Selah) <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/81.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah." Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/81.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/81.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You called in trouble, and I delivered you. I answered you in the secret place of thunder. I tested you at the waters of Meribah.” Selah. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/81.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />In distress you have called and I deliver you, "" I answer you in the secret place of thunder, "" I try you by the waters of Meribah. Selah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/81.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/81.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thou calledst in straits, and I will deliver thee; I will answer thee in the hiding place of thunder. I will prove thee at the water of strife. Silence.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/81.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />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. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/81.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 80:8>You called upon me in tribulation, and I freed you. I heard you within the hidden tempest. I tested you with waters of contradiction.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/81.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In distress you called and I rescued you; I answered you in secret with thunder; At the waters of Meribah I tested you:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/81.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />In distress you called, and I rescued you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/81.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />He called on me in trouble, and I delivered him; I sheltered him under my glorious cover; I tested him at the waters of dispute.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/81.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />He called me in trouble, and in secret, in my glorious refuge, I saved him and I tested him.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/81.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thou didst call in trouble, and I rescued thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/81.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou didst call upon me in trouble, and I delivered thee; I heard thee in the secret place of the storm: I proved thee at the water of Strife. Pause.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/81-7.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=10254" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">6</span>“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. <span class="reftext">7</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7121.htm" title="7121: qā·rā·ṯā (V-Qal-Perf-2ms) -- To call, proclaim, read. A primitive root; to call out to.">You called out</a> <a href="/hebrew/6869.htm" title="6869: baṣ·ṣā·rāh (Prep-b, Art:: N-fs) -- Tightness, a female rival. Feminine of tsar; tightness; transitively, a female rival.">in distress,</a> <a href="/hebrew/2502.htm" title="2502: wā·’ă·ḥal·lə·ṣe·kā (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 2mse) -- A primitive root; to pull off; hence to strip, To depart; by implication, to deliver, equip; present, strengthen.">and I rescued you;</a> <a href="/hebrew/6030.htm" title="6030: ’e·‘en·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To answer, respond.">I answered</a> <a href="/hebrew/5643.htm" title="5643: bə·sê·ṯer (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- A covering, hiding place, secrecy. Or cithrah,; from cathar; a cover.">you from the cloud</a> <a href="/hebrew/7482.htm" title="7482: ra·‘am (N-ms) -- Thunder. From ra'am; a peal of thunder.">of thunder;</a> <a href="/hebrew/974.htm" title="974: ’eḇ·ḥā·nə·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-1cs:: 2ms) -- To examine, try. A primitive root; to test; generally and figuratively, to investigate.">I tested</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">you at</a> <a href="/hebrew/4325.htm" title="4325: mê (N-mpc) -- Waters, water. Dual of a primitive noun; water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen.">the waters</a> <a href="/hebrew/4809.htm" title="4809: mə·rî·ḇāh (N-proper-fs) -- Place of strife, two places in the desert. The same as mriybah; Meribah, the name of two places in the Desert.">of Meribah.</a> <a href="/hebrew/5542.htm" title="5542: se·lāh (Interjection) -- To lift up, exalt. From calah; suspension, i.e. Pause.">Selah</a> </span><span class="reftext">8</span>Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Exodus 17:6-7</a></span><br />Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink.” So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. / He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/20-8.htm">Numbers 20:8-13</a></span><br />“Take the staff and assemble the congregation. You and your brother Aaron are to speak to the rock while they watch, and it will pour out its water. You will bring out water from the rock and provide drink for the congregation and their livestock.” / So Moses took the staff from the LORD’s presence, just as he had been commanded. / Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly in front of the rock, and Moses said to them, “Listen now, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8</a></span><br />Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/6-36.htm">Judges 6:36-40</a></span><br />Then Gideon said to God, “If You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said, / then behold, I will place a fleece of wool on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that You are going to save Israel by my hand, as You have said.” / And that is what happened. When Gideon arose the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/7-9.htm">1 Samuel 7:9-10</a></span><br />Then Samuel took a suckling lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the LORD. He cried out to the LORD on behalf of Israel, and the LORD answered him. / As the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel, Samuel was offering up the burnt offering. But that day the LORD thundered loudly against the Philistines and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/18-24.htm">1 Kings 18:24-39</a></span><br />Then you may call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD. The God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people answered, “What you say is good.” / Then Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Since you are so numerous, choose for yourselves one bull and prepare it first. Then call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.” / And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/9-27.htm">Nehemiah 9:27-28</a></span><br />So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies. / But as soon as they had rest, they again did evil in Your sight. So You abandoned them to the hands of their enemies, who had dominion over them. When they cried out to You again, You heard from heaven, and You delivered them many times in Your compassion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-17.htm">Isaiah 41:17</a></span><br />The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-21.htm">Isaiah 48:21</a></span><br />They did not thirst when He led them through the deserts; He made water flow for them from the rock; He split the rock, and water gushed out.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/33-3.htm">Jeremiah 33:3</a></span><br />Call to Me, and I will answer and show you great and unsearchable things you do not know.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/13-5.htm">Hosea 13:5</a></span><br />I knew you in the wilderness, in the land of drought.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-7.htm">Matthew 7:7-8</a></span><br />Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/21-22.htm">Matthew 21:22</a></span><br />If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/11-9.htm">Luke 11:9-10</a></span><br />So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/4-10.htm">John 4:10</a></span><br />Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">You called in trouble, and I delivered you; I answered you in the secret place of thunder: I proved you at the waters of Meribah. Selah.</p><p class="hdg">calledst</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-15.htm">Psalm 50:15</a></b></br> And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/91-14.htm">Psalm 91:14,15</a></b></br> Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23</a></b></br> And it came to pass in process of time, that the king of Egypt died: and the children of Israel sighed by reason of the bondage, and they cried, and their cry came up unto God by reason of the bondage.</p><p class="hdg">secret</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Exodus 14:24</a></b></br> And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/19-19.htm">Exodus 19:19</a></b></br> And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/20-18.htm">Exodus 20:18-21</a></b></br> And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw <i>it</i>, they removed, and stood afar off… </p><p class="hdg">proved</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/17-6.htm">Exodus 17:6,7</a></b></br> Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/numbers/20-13.htm">Numbers 20:13,24</a></b></br> This <i>is</i> the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Deuteronomy 33:8</a></b></br> And of Levi he said, <i>Let</i> thy Thummim and thy Urim <i>be</i> with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, <i>and with</i> whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;</p><p class="hdg">meribah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/81-1.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/psalms/79-9.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/81-6.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/psalms/78-49.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/81-6.htm">Free</a> <a href="/psalms/64-5.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/33-8.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/psalms/66-10.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/psalms/71-23.htm">Rescued</a> <a href="/psalms/78-4.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/77-15.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/78-56.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/77-18.htm">Thunder</a> <a href="/psalms/78-49.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/78-41.htm">Try</a> <a href="/psalms/78-20.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/84-2.htm">Cry</a> <a href="/psalms/82-4.htm">Deliver</a> <a href="/psalms/86-13.htm">Delivered</a> <a href="/psalms/86-7.htm">Distress</a> <a href="/psalms/88-5.htm">Free</a> <a href="/psalms/119-114.htm">Hiding</a> <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Meribah</a> <a href="/psalms/95-8.htm">Mer'ibah</a> <a href="/psalms/95-9.htm">Proved</a> <a href="/psalms/107-20.htm">Rescued</a> <a href="/psalms/83-3.htm">Secret</a> <a href="/psalms/82-2.htm">Selah</a> <a href="/psalms/95-9.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/psalms/93-4.htm">Thunder</a> <a href="/psalms/86-7.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/psalms/106-14.htm">Try</a> <a href="/psalms/88-17.htm">Waters</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 81</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-1.htm">An exhortation to a solemn praising of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-4.htm">God challenges that duty by reason of his benefits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm">God, exhorting to obedience, complains of their disobedience, which proves their own hurt.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/81.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/81.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You called out in distress, and I rescued you;</b><br>This phrase reflects the recurring theme of God's deliverance in response to the cries of His people. Throughout the Old Testament, Israel frequently found themselves in situations of distress, often due to their own disobedience. Yet, God's mercy and faithfulness are evident as He responds to their pleas. This is reminiscent of the Israelites' cry for help during their bondage in Egypt (<a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23-25</a>), where God heard their groaning and remembered His covenant. The act of calling out to God in distress is a demonstration of faith and reliance on His power to save, a principle that is echoed in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to cast their anxieties on God (<a href="/1_peter/5-7.htm">1 Peter 5:7</a>).<p><b>I answered you from the cloud of thunder;</b><br>The "cloud of thunder" is a reference to God's presence and His communication with Israel, particularly during the Exodus. This imagery is reminiscent of Mount Sinai, where God descended in fire, and the mountain was wrapped in smoke, with thunder and lightning as God gave the Ten Commandments (<a href="/exodus/19-16.htm">Exodus 19:16-19</a>). The cloud signifies God's divine presence and authority, often associated with His guidance and protection. This also foreshadows the New Testament, where God's voice is heard from a cloud during the Transfiguration of Jesus (<a href="/matthew/17-5.htm">Matthew 17:5</a>), affirming Jesus' divine sonship and authority.<p><b>I tested you at the waters of Meribah.</b><br>The waters of Meribah refer to a significant event in Israel's wilderness journey, recorded in <a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a> and <a href="/numbers/20.htm">Numbers 20:1-13</a>. At Meribah, the Israelites quarreled and tested the Lord due to a lack of water, leading Moses to strike the rock to bring forth water. This incident is a test of faith and obedience, highlighting the people's tendency to doubt and complain despite God's continuous provision. It serves as a reminder of the importance of trust in God's promises and the consequences of unbelief. The Apostle Paul later uses this event as a warning to the Corinthians, urging them not to test Christ as some of the Israelites did (<a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">1 Corinthians 10:9</a>).<p><b>Selah</b><br>The term "Selah" is often found in the Psalms and is thought to be a musical or liturgical pause, inviting the reader or listener to reflect on the preceding words. It emphasizes the importance of meditation on God's actions and character, encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of His works and faithfulness. In this context, it serves as a moment to ponder God's deliverance, His communication with His people, and the lessons learned from their testing.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The central figure in this verse, who hears the cries of His people and responds to their distress.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people who called out to God in their distress, representing the collective nation of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/thundercloud.htm">Thundercloud</a></b><br>Symbolic of God's powerful presence and His voice, often associated with divine revelation and intervention.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/w/waters_of_meribah.htm">Waters of Meribah</a></b><br>A significant event in Israel's history where the Israelites quarreled with Moses and tested God due to a lack of water (<a href="/exodus/17.htm">Exodus 17:1-7</a>; <a href="/numbers/20.htm">Numbers 20:1-13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness_in_distress.htm">God's Faithfulness in Distress</a></b><br>God is attentive to the cries of His people and responds with deliverance. In times of trouble, believers can trust in God's faithfulness to rescue and provide.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_revelation_and_presence.htm">Divine Revelation and Presence</a></b><br>The imagery of the thundercloud signifies God's powerful presence. Believers should seek to recognize and respond to God's voice and guidance in their lives.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/testing_and_growth.htm">Testing and Growth</a></b><br>The reference to Meribah serves as a reminder that God allows testing to refine and strengthen faith. Believers should view trials as opportunities for spiritual growth and reliance on God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/historical_lessons_for_present_faith.htm">Historical Lessons for Present Faith</a></b><br>Reflecting on Israel's history, believers are encouraged to learn from past mistakes and trust in God's provision rather than grumble or doubt in challenging circumstances.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_81.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 81</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_patmos_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_occurred_at_meribah_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_evidence_for_psalm_81_6-7_events.htm">In Psalm 81:6–7, why is there no corroborating evidence for God removing Israel’s burden and testing them at Meribah outside the biblical text? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_is_psalm_99_7_scientifically_plausible.htm">Psalm 99:7 describes God speaking out of a pillar of cloud; how is this scientifically plausible, and why is there no external record of such a phenomenon?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/81.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(7) <span class= "bld">Thou calledst.</span>--The recital of God's past dealings with the people usual at the Feast of the Tabernacles (<a href="/context/deuteronomy/31-10.htm" title="And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,">Deuteronomy 31:10-13</a>; <a href="/nehemiah/8-18.htm" title="Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the manner.">Nehemiah 8:18</a>) appears to follow here as if the feast were actually in progress and the crowd were listening to the psalmist.<p><span class= "bld">I answered thee in the secret place of thunder.</span>--Mr. Burgess is undoubtedly right in taking the verb as from <span class= "ital">?nan, </span>"to cover," instead of <span class= "ital">?nah, "</span>to answer." <span class= "ital">I sheltered thee in the thundercloud, </span>with plain allusion to the "cloudy pillar." The same verb is used in <a href="/psalms/105-39.htm" title="He spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.">Psalm 105:39</a>, "He spread out the cloud for a covering."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/81.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 7.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee</span> (see <a href="/exodus/2-23.htm">Exodus 2:23</a>; <a href="/exodus/3-7.htm">Exodus 3:7</a>; <a href="/exodus/14-10.htm">Exodus 14:10</a>, etc.). <span class="cmt_word">I answered thee in the secret place of thunder.</span> The pillar of the cloud seems to be meant. In this, and from this, God answered the cry of his people (<a href="/exodus/14-24.htm">Exodus 14:24</a>). <span class="cmt_word">I proved thee at the waters of Meribah</span> (<a href="/exodus/17-7.htm">Exodus 17:7</a>). The "selah" after these words marks a pause, during which the people addressed might reflect on the manifold mercies which God had vouchsafed to them in Egypt, in the wilderness, and elsewhere. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/81-7.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You called out</span><br /><span class="heb">קָרָ֗אתָ</span> <span class="translit">(qā·rā·ṯā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7121.htm">Strong's 7121: </a> </span><span class="str2">To call, proclaim, read</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in distress,</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּצָּרָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣā·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6869.htm">Strong's 6869: </a> </span><span class="str2">Tightness, a female rival</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and I rescued you;</span><br /><span class="heb">וָאֲחַ֫לְּצֶ֥ךָּ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ă·ḥal·lə·ṣe·kā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2502.htm">Strong's 2502: </a> </span><span class="str2">To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I answered</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶ֭עֶנְךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’e·‘en·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6030.htm">Strong's 6030: </a> </span><span class="str2">To answer, respond</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you from the cloud</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּסֵ֣תֶר</span> <span class="translit">(bə·sê·ṯer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5643.htm">Strong's 5643: </a> </span><span class="str2">A covering, hiding place, secrecy</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of thunder;</span><br /><span class="heb">רַ֑עַם</span> <span class="translit">(ra·‘am)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7482.htm">Strong's 7482: </a> </span><span class="str2">A peal of thunder</span><br /><br /><span class="word">I tested</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶבְחָֽנְךָ֨</span> <span class="translit">(’eḇ·ḥā·nə·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_974.htm">Strong's 974: </a> </span><span class="str2">To test, to investigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you at</span><br /><span class="heb">עַל־</span> <span class="translit">(‘al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> </span><span class="str2">Above, over, upon, against</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the waters</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(mê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4325.htm">Strong's 4325: </a> </span><span class="str2">Water, juice, urine, semen</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Meribah.</span><br /><span class="heb">מְרִיבָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(mə·rî·ḇāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4809.htm">Strong's 4809: </a> </span><span class="str2">Meribah -- 'place of strife', two places in the desert</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Selah</span><br /><span class="heb">סֶֽלָה׃</span> <span class="translit">(se·lāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5542.htm">Strong's 5542: </a> </span><span class="str2">Suspension, pause</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/81-7.htm">Psalm 81:7 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/81-7.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 81:7 You called in trouble and I delivered (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/81-6.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 81:6"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:6" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 81:8"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:8" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>