Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. New Living Translation You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. Interlude English Standard Version 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 Berean Standard Bible 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 Berean Literal Bible In the time of distress you called, and I drew you out; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah King James Bible 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. New King James Version 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 New American Standard Bible “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 NASB 1995 “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. NASB 1977 “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. Legacy Standard Bible 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. Amplified Bible “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. Berean Annotated Bible 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 (quarreling). Selah Christian Standard Bible You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the Waters of Meribah. Selah Holman Christian Standard Bible You called out in distress, and I rescued you; I answered you from the thundercloud. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah American Standard Version 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 Contemporary English Version When you were in trouble, I rescued you, and from the thunderclouds, I answered your prayers. Later I tested you at Meribah Spring. English Revised Version Thou calledst in trouble, and I answered thee in the secret place of thunder; I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah GOD'S WORD® Translation 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] Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version 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 NET Bible 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) New Heart English Bible 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. Webster's Bible Translation 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleYou 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 World English Bible 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. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIn 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. Berean Literal Bible In the time of distress you called, and I drew you out; I answered you in the secret place of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah Young's Literal Translation 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. Smith's Literal Translation 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. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThou 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. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible In distress you called and I rescued you; I answered you in secret with thunder; At the waters of Meribah I tested you: New Revised Standard Version 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 Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe called on me in trouble, and I delivered him; I sheltered him under my glorious cover; I tested him at the waters of dispute. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He called me in trouble, and in secret, in my glorious refuge, I saved him and I tested him. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Thou 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 Brenton Septuagint Translation 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. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength…6“I relieved his shoulder of the burden; his hands were freed from the basket. 7You 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 8Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!… Cross References You called out in distress, and I rescued you; Deuteronomy 26:7-8 So we called out to the LORD, the God of our fathers; and the LORD heard our voice and saw our affliction, toil, and oppression. / Then the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, with great terror, signs, and wonders. Exodus 3:7-8 The LORD said, “I have indeed seen the affliction of My people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their oppressors, and I am aware of their sufferings. / I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey—the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. Exodus 2:23-25 After a long time, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned and cried out under their burden of slavery, and their cry for deliverance from bondage ascended to God. / So God heard their groaning, and He remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. / God saw the Israelites and took notice. I answered you from the cloud of thunder; Exodus 19:16-19 On the third day, when morning came, there was thunder and lightning. A thick cloud was upon the mountain, and a very loud blast of the ram’s horn went out, so that all the people in the camp trembled. / Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. / Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently. … Exodus 20:18-19 When all the people witnessed the thunder and lightning, the sounding of the ram’s horn, and the mountain enveloped in smoke, they trembled and stood at a distance. / “Speak to us yourself and we will listen,” they said to Moses. “But do not let God speak to us, or we will die.” Deuteronomy 4:11-12 You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness. / And the LORD spoke to you out of the fire. You heard the sound of the words but saw no form; there was only a voice. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Exodus 17:1-7 Then the whole congregation of Israel left the Desert of Sin, moving from place to place as the LORD commanded. They camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. / So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?” / But the people thirsted for water there, and they grumbled against Moses: “Why have you brought us out of Egypt—to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” … Numbers 20:1-13 In the first month, the whole congregation of Israel entered the Wilderness of Zin and stayed in Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. / Now there was no water for the congregation, so they gathered against Moses and Aaron. / The people quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had perished with our brothers before the LORD! … Psalm 106:32-33 At the waters of Meribah they angered the LORD, and trouble came to Moses because of them. / For they rebelled against His Spirit, and Moses spoke rashly with his lips. Selah Psalm 3:2 Many say of me, “God will not deliver him.” Selah Psalm 4:2 How long, O men, will my honor be maligned? How long will you love vanity and seek after lies? Selah Habakkuk 3:3 God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth. Exodus 17:6-7 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?” Numbers 20:8-13 “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?” … Deuteronomy 33:8 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. Judges 6:36-40 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. … Treasury of Scripture 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. calledst Psalm 50:15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Psalm 91:14,15 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… Exodus 2:23 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. secret Exodus 14:24 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, Exodus 19:19 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. Exodus 20:18-21 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 it, they removed, and stood afar off… proved Exodus 17:6,7 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… Numbers 20:13,24 This is the water of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with the LORD, and he was sanctified in them… Deuteronomy 33:8 And of Levi he said, Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah; meribah. Jump to Previous Cry Deliver Delivered Distress Free Hiding Meribah Mer'ibah Proved Rescued Secret Selah Tested Thunder Trouble Try WatersJump to Next Cry Deliver Delivered Distress Free Hiding Meribah Mer'ibah Proved Rescued Secret Selah Tested Thunder Trouble Try WatersPsalm 81 1. An exhortation to a solemn praising of God4. God challenges that duty by reason of his benefits 8. God, exhorting to obedience, complains of their disobedience, which proves their own hurt. You called out in distress, and I rescued you; 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 (Exodus 2:23-25), 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 (1 Peter 5:7). I answered you from the cloud of thunder; I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe central figure in this verse, who hears the cries of His people and responds to their distress. 2. Israelites The people who called out to God in their distress, representing the collective nation of Israel. 3. Thundercloud Symbolic of God's powerful presence and His voice, often associated with divine revelation and intervention. 4. Waters of Meribah A significant event in Israel's history where the Israelites quarreled with Moses and tested God due to a lack of water (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:1-13). Teaching Points God's Faithfulness in DistressGod 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. Divine Revelation and Presence 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. Testing and Growth 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. Historical Lessons for Present Faith 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. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Psalm 81:7?2. How does Psalm 81:7 illustrate God's response to cries for help? 3. What does "I tested you at the waters of Meribah" signify in our lives? 4. How can we apply God's deliverance in Psalm 81:7 to personal trials? 5. Connect Psalm 81:7 with another biblical instance of God answering prayers. 6. How should believers respond to God's deliverance as shown in Psalm 81:7? 7. How does Psalm 81:7 demonstrate God's response to human distress? 8. What historical context surrounds the events mentioned in Psalm 81:7? 9. How does Psalm 81:7 reflect God's testing of faith? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Psalm 81? 11. What occurred at Meribah in the Bible? 12. What occurred at Meribah in the Bible? 13. 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? 14. 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? What Does Psalm 81:7 Mean You called out in distress• Picture Israel groaning under Egyptian slavery—“the Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out” (Exodus 2:23–24). • God hears every anguished plea, just as He later promises, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you” (Psalm 50:15). • Psalm 107:6 echoes the same pattern of need met by divine intervention. Takeaway: When God’s people cry out, He literally hears; distress is never wasted when it is turned into prayer. and I rescued you • The rescue is historical: “The LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand” (Deuteronomy 26:8). • Think of the Red Sea parting (Exodus 14:29–30) and the pillar of cloud and fire guiding them (Exodus 13:21). • Psalm 34:4–7 shows the same rescuing heart of God for every generation. Takeaway: Salvation is not abstract; it is God’s concrete action in real time and space, proving His covenant faithfulness. I answered you from the cloud of thunder • At Sinai “there were thunders and lightnings… and a thick cloud” when God spoke (Exodus 19:16–19). • Psalm 99:7 reminds us, “He spoke to them from the pillar of cloud.” • God’s voice is authoritative and unmistakable; He still answers, though often through Scripture rather than audible thunder (Hebrews 1:1–2). Takeaway: The same God who thundered at Sinai speaks today through His written Word, demanding our reverent attention. I tested you at the waters of Meribah. Selah • Meribah means “quarreling” (Exodus 17:1–7; Numbers 20:1–13). The people complained about water, revealing unbelief. • Deuteronomy 8:2 explains that tests expose what is in the heart. • 1 Corinthians 10:4 warns believers not to repeat Israel’s mistakes; Christ Himself is the Rock they struck. • “Selah” invites us to pause, reflect, and let the lesson sink in. Takeaway: Trials are God’s classroom. They reveal faith or faithlessness, and they invite repentance and renewed trust. summary Psalm 81:7 recounts four linked realities: God’s people cry out, God rescues, God speaks, and God tests. Each step shows His unwavering commitment to a covenant relationship that is personal, powerful, and purposeful. Remembering His past faithfulness fuels present trust and future obedience. (7) Thou calledst.--The recital of God's past dealings with the people usual at the Feast of the Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 31:10-13; Nehemiah 8:18) appears to follow here as if the feast were actually in progress and the crowd were listening to the psalmist.I answered thee in the secret place of thunder.--Mr. Burgess is undoubtedly right in taking the verb as from ?nan, "to cover," instead of ?nah, "to answer." I sheltered thee in the thundercloud, with plain allusion to the "cloudy pillar." The same verb is used in Psalm 105:39, "He spread out the cloud for a covering." Verse 7. - Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee (see Exodus 2:23; Exodus 3:7; Exodus 14:10, etc.). I answered thee in the secret place of thunder. The pillar of the cloud seems to be meant. In this, and from this, God answered the cry of his people (Exodus 14:24). I proved thee at the waters of Meribah (Exodus 17:7). 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.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew You called outקָרָ֗אתָ (qā·rā·ṯā) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read in distress, בַּצָּרָ֥ה (baṣ·ṣā·rāh) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival and I rescued you; וָאֲחַ֫לְּצֶ֥ךָּ (wā·’ă·ḥal·lə·ṣe·kā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen I answered אֶ֭עֶנְךָ (’e·‘en·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond you from the cloud בְּסֵ֣תֶר (bə·sê·ṯer) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5643: A covering, hiding place, secrecy of thunder; רַ֑עַם (ra·‘am) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7482: A peal of thunder I tested אֶבְחָֽנְךָ֨ (’eḇ·ḥā·nə·ḵā) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular Strong's 974: To test, to investigate you at עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against the waters מֵ֖י (mê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen of Meribah. מְרִיבָ֣ה (mə·rî·ḇāh) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 4809: Meribah -- 'place of strife', two places in the desert Selah סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh) Interjection Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause Links Psalm 81:7 NIVPsalm 81:7 NLT Psalm 81:7 ESV Psalm 81:7 NASB Psalm 81:7 KJV Psalm 81:7 BibleApps.com Psalm 81:7 Biblia Paralela Psalm 81:7 Chinese Bible Psalm 81:7 French Bible Psalm 81:7 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 81:7 You called in trouble and I delivered (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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