Psalms 81:5

KJV

This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony, when he went out through the land of Egypt: [where] I heard a language [that] I understood not.

KJV (with Strong's)

This he ordained {H7760}{H8804)} in Joseph {H3084} for a testimony {H5715}, when he went out {H3318}{H8800)} through the land {H776} of Egypt {H4714}: where I heard {H8085}{H8799)} a language {H8193} that I understood {H3045}{H8804)} not.

Complete Jewish Bible

He placed it as a testimony in Y'hosef when he went out against the land of Egypt. I heard an unfamiliar voice say,

Berean Standard Bible

He ordained it as a testimony for Joseph when he went out over the land of Egypt, where I heard an unfamiliar language:

American Standard Version

He appointed it in Joseph for a testimony, When he went out over the land of Egypt, WhereI heard a language that I knew not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 81:5 serves as a profound historical anchor within a psalm of worship, illuminating God's sovereign and deliberate orchestration of Joseph's life and the subsequent journey of Israel into Egypt. This divine act was intended as a foundational "testimony" to God's meticulous providential care, setting the stage for Israel's prolonged sojourn in a foreign land where they encountered an alien culture and an incomprehensible language, thereby underscoring their complete dependence on God for their ultimate deliverance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 81 belongs to the collection of "Asaphite" psalms (Psalms 50, 73-83), which are often characterized by a prophetic voice, deep historical reflection, and a blend of communal lament, divine address, and calls to worship. This particular psalm is strongly liturgical, likely composed for a major Israelite festival such as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) or Passover, given its prominent themes of harvest, deliverance from bondage, and covenant renewal. The psalm commences with an exuberant and urgent call to worship and praise, emphasizing the use of musical instruments (verses 1-4). It then transitions into a historical review of God's mighty acts, with a particular focus on the Exodus from Egypt (verses 5-7). Verse 5 acts as a crucial historical pivot, linking the initial divine orchestration through Joseph to the subsequent experience of the Israelites in Egypt. This historical recounting then leads into a direct divine address, where God laments Israel's past disobedience and calls for renewed faithfulness (verses 8-16). This structure powerfully reinforces the imperative to remember God's past faithfulness as the unwavering basis for present and future obedience and trust.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The verse reaches back to the formative period of the Israelite nation, specifically referencing Joseph's dramatic narrative as recorded in [the book of Genesis](/genesis "Genesis - The Book of Origins"). Joseph, unjustly sold into slavery by his own brothers, was providentially elevated to a position of immense power within the Egyptian empire, ultimately serving as the instrument through which God preserved his family and the nascent nation of Israel from a devastating famine. This initial entry into Egypt, though seemingly a descent into foreignness, was divinely orchestrated and led to a prolonged period of Israelite sojourning. During this time, the descendants of Jacob grew into a numerous people but also endured severe oppression under a new pharaoh "who did not know Joseph" (as recounted in [Exodus 1:8](/exodus/1-8 "Exodus 1:8 - A New King Over Egypt")). Egyptian culture stood in stark contrast to the nomadic, patriarchal life of the early Israelites. It was a complex, polytheistic society with a highly structured social hierarchy, a sophisticated system of hieroglyphic writing, and intricate customs that would have been utterly alien to the Hebrew sojourners. This profound cultural and linguistic disparity fostered a deep sense of alienation and reinforced their complete dependence on their covenant God.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 81:5 significantly contributes to several overarching themes central to the psalm and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Sovereignty and Providence**, illustrating God's meticulous and purposeful orchestration of events, even through human suffering, betrayal, and seemingly adverse circumstances, to achieve His grand redemptive purposes. Joseph's journey, from the pit of betrayal to the pinnacle of power, was not a series of accidents but was "ordained" by God to preserve His covenant people, a truth Joseph himself profoundly articulated in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Genesis 50:20 - Joseph's Understanding of God's Plan"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Exodus as a Foundational Testimony**. Joseph's strategic placement in Egypt was the divine setup that culminated in the dramatic deliverance of Israel, making the entire experience a powerful "testimony" to God's omnipotence, faithfulness, and covenant commitment. Lastly, the poignant phrase "I heard a language that I understood not" introduces the profound theme of **Alienation and Dependence**. It vividly portrays Israel's experience as vulnerable sojourners in a foreign land, emphasizing their cultural and linguistic isolation and their absolute reliance on God in an environment where they were strangers, foreshadowing their ongoing need for divine guidance, revelation, and deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Ordained (Hebrew, _sûwm'_):** This verb (H7760) signifies "to set, place, appoint, or ordain." Its usage in this verse emphasizes God's deliberate, active, and sovereign initiative in Joseph's life. It conveys a sense of divine intentionality rather than passive allowance. God did not merely react to unfolding circumstances but proactively established Joseph in Egypt for a specific, predetermined divine purpose, demonstrating His meticulous control over the trajectory of history and the lives of individuals.
* **Testimony (Hebrew, _ʻêdûwth'_):** The noun (H5715) often refers to a divine decree, a statute, or a witness. In this context, Joseph's life, his elevation, and the subsequent events leading to Israel's sojourn and deliverance from Egypt served as a powerful witness or enduring evidence of God's established plan and unwavering covenant faithfulness. It was a visible, historical demonstration of God's power to work through challenging circumstances, even human sin and suffering, to preserve His people and fulfill His promises, thereby becoming a lasting reminder and instruction for future generations.
* **Language (Hebrew, _sâphâh_) that I understood not (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ'_):** This idiomatic expression (H8193 for "language" or "lip," and H3045 for "to know" or "understand") literally translates to "a lip I did not know." The word _sâphâh_ (H8193) refers to the "lip" but by implication, "language." The verb _yâdaʻ_ (H3045) means "to know" or "to understand." Together, this phrase powerfully conveys the profound sense of foreignness, alienation, and cultural disconnect experienced by the Israelites in Egypt. It signifies not merely a linguistic barrier but a complete lack of familiarity with the customs, laws, worldview, and religious practices of their oppressors, underscoring their vulnerability and their distinct identity as God's chosen people in a hostile and incomprehensible environment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"This he ordained in Joseph [for] a testimony":** This clause emphatically asserts God's direct, intentional, and sovereign involvement in Joseph's life. The demonstrative "this" refers to the entire unfolding of events that led to Israel's sojourn in Egypt and their subsequent miraculous deliverance. God "ordained" or "set" Joseph in his unique position of power, not for Joseph's personal aggrandizement, but as a "testimony"—a visible, undeniable demonstration and enduring witness to His overarching sovereign plan and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Joseph's suffering, imprisonment, and eventual exaltation were all integral parts of God's larger, meticulously designed plan to preserve His chosen people.
* **"when he went out through the land of Egypt":** This phrase is crucial for contextualizing the "testimony" mentioned previously. The "he" here most naturally refers to Israel's departure from Egypt, specifically the Exodus. Joseph's story (the "testimony" of God's providence) was the divine setup that culminated in the Exodus, where God's power was dramatically displayed as He led His people out of the land where they had been strangers and slaves. It directly links Joseph's initial placement in Egypt to the ultimate act of national liberation, highlighting the continuity of God's redemptive work.
* **"[where] I heard a language [that] I understood not":** This is a poignant first-person reflection, with the "I" representing the collective voice of Israel (or the psalmist speaking empathetically on behalf of the nation). It vividly recalls the profound experience of being in Egypt, a land utterly foreign in its culture, customs, and communication. The inability to understand the language symbolizes the deep sense of alienation, oppression, and helplessness that characterized Israel's prolonged sojourn. It underscores their acute vulnerability and their complete dependence on God, who alone could navigate and deliver them from such an alien and hostile environment, emphasizing their distinct identity as God's covenant people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. **Metonymy** is powerfully evident in the phrase "a language that I understood not," where "language" is represented by "lip" (שָׂפָה, _saphah_), effectively conveying the profound foreignness of Egyptian communication and culture. The use of a **First-Person Narrative** ("I heard") allows the psalmist to embody the collective memory and historical experience of Israel, fostering deep empathy and enabling the contemporary worshiper to connect viscerally with the historical reality of their ancestors' alienation and God's subsequent deliverance. Furthermore, the verse functions as a powerful **Historical Allusion**, succinctly referencing the vast and complex narratives of Joseph's life and the Exodus, thereby drawing upon a rich tapestry of shared national and theological history to reinforce God's enduring faithfulness and Israel's perpetual call to remember and obey.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 81:5 profoundly articulates God's active, intentional, and sovereign involvement in human history, demonstrating that even the most challenging and seemingly chaotic circumstances are meticulously woven into His overarching tapestry of redemption. The "ordination" of Joseph reveals a God who is not distant or passive but one who meticulously orchestrates events, turning potential disaster into a strategic means of preserving His covenant people. This divine providence serves as a powerful "testimony" not only to Israel but to all generations, affirming that God's faithfulness endures through trials, foreignness, and periods of incomprehension. The experience of "a language that I understood not" highlights the theme of divine election and separation, where God's people, though sojourners in a fallen world, are distinct and ultimately dependent on Him for guidance, revelation, and deliverance, finding their true identity and security in His presence rather than in worldly comforts, understanding, or power.

* [Genesis 45:7](/genesis/45-7 "Joseph's Explanation of God's Purpose")
* [Deuteronomy 6:20-25](/deuteronomy/6-20-25 "Teaching the Next Generation about the Exodus")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8-9 "God's Thoughts and Ways")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 81:5 offers profound comfort and a significant challenge for contemporary believers navigating the complexities of life. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's sovereignty extends to every minute detail of our lives, even when we find ourselves in "foreign" or unfamiliar situations where we feel like we don't understand the "language" of our circumstances—be it a baffling trial, an unexpected career change, a season of profound grief, or a period of societal upheaval. Like Joseph, we may be placed in difficult or seemingly disadvantageous positions, but this verse assures us that God has a divine purpose, a "testimony," that He intends to reveal through our experiences. Our struggles are not random or meaningless but can be powerful instruments in God's hands to demonstrate His power, faithfulness, and redemptive plan. It calls us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God's providence, knowing with certainty that He is working all things for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (as promised in [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "God Works All Things for Good")). This profound trust frees us from debilitating anxiety and empowers us to see our lives, even the most perplexing and painful parts, as integral components of God's grand narrative, a living testament to His unwavering care, ultimate victory, and perfect wisdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "foreign" or unfamiliar situations in your life have you felt like you "heard a language that you understood not," experiencing a profound sense of alienation or incomprehension?**
* **How can intentionally remembering God's past faithfulness, both in the grand sweep of biblical history and in the specific details of your own life, strengthen your trust in His present and future providence?**
* **What "testimony" might God be seeking to bring forth or reveal through the challenging circumstances you are currently facing, even if His purpose is not yet fully clear?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereign "ordination" of events, even difficult or painful ones, reshape your perspective on personal suffering, global crises, or societal challenges?**

### FAQ

**Who is the "I" who heard a language that I understood not?**

Answer: The "I" in this verse refers to Israel, or more specifically, the collective voice of the people of God, represented by the psalmist. It is a powerful poetic device that allows the psalm to recount and embody the historical experience of the Israelites during their prolonged sojourn in Egypt. This first-person perspective helps the worshiper identify intimately with the historical narrative, vividly recalling the deep alienation, cultural foreignness, and severe oppression faced by their ancestors before God's miraculous and powerful deliverance during the Exodus. It highlights that the experience of being a stranger in a foreign land was a defining and formative part of Israel's national history and identity.

**How did God "ordain" something "in Joseph" as a "testimony"?**

Answer: God "ordained" or "set" His divine plan "in Joseph" by meticulously orchestrating the seemingly disparate and often tragic events of Joseph's life—his prophetic dreams, his cruel betrayal by his brothers, his unjust slavery, his wrongful imprisonment, and his eventual miraculous elevation to prime minister of Egypt. These events were not random occurrences but were precisely woven by God into a larger, redemptive purpose. Joseph's strategic position allowed him to preserve his family (the nascent nation of Israel) from a devastating famine and establish them securely in Egypt, thereby setting the stage for their exponential growth and subsequent dramatic deliverance. This entire sequence served as a powerful "testimony" because it undeniably demonstrated God's sovereign power, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His profound ability to work through human sin, suffering, and seemingly adverse circumstances to achieve His ultimate redemptive will, a truth Joseph himself profoundly recognized and articulated in [Genesis 50:20](/genesis/50-20 "Joseph's Perspective on God's Plan").

**What is the significance of the "language that I understood not"?**

Answer: The phrase "a language that I understood not" (literally "a lip I did not know") is a profound and evocative metaphor for the deep cultural, social, and spiritual alienation experienced by the Israelites during their time in Egypt. It signifies far more than just a linguistic barrier; it represents the complete foreignness of Egyptian customs, laws, religious practices, and worldview to the Hebrew people. This profound unfamiliarity underscored their vulnerable status as sojourners and highlighted their utter dependence on God in a hostile and incomprehensible environment. It also serves as a powerful reminder of God's distinct identity for His people, called to be separate from the surrounding nations, and His unique ability to communicate with and guide them even when the world around them is bewildering and incomprehensible. This alienation ultimately intensified their longing for God's clear voice and deliverance.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 81:5, with its profound emphasis on God's sovereign ordination in Joseph's life to preserve and ultimately save His people from an alien land, finds its ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Joseph, though innocent, suffered unjustly at the hands of his own brethren, was sold for silver, and descended into a foreign land, yet was ultimately exalted to a position of unparalleled power through which he saved his people. This narrative powerfully prefigures Christ, who, though perfectly sinless, was betrayed by His own people, sold for thirty pieces of silver ([Matthew 26:14-16](/matthew/26-14-16 "Judas's Betrayal")), and descended into the "foreign land" of humanity through the incarnation ([Philippians 2:6-8](/philippians/2-6-8 "Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Just as Joseph's entire journey was "ordained" by God as a "testimony" to His providential care, so too was Christ's entire life, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection the supreme divine ordination, becoming the ultimate "testimony" to God's boundless love and His comprehensive redemptive plan for all humanity. Christ entered a world where He encountered a "language He understood not"—the pervasive language of sin, suffering, human brokenness, and rebellion against God—yet He perfectly understood and flawlessly fulfilled the Father's will. Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, He delivers us not merely from a physical Egypt, but from the far greater bondage of sin, spiritual death, and the dominion of darkness, bringing us into His eternal kingdom. He is the true Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the ultimate and complete fulfillment of God's saving testimony for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 114:1

¶ When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language;

Jeremiah 5:15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Deuteronomy 28:49

The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, [as swift] as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand;

1 Corinthians 14:21

¶ In the law it is written, With [men of] other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

1 Corinthians 14:22

Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying [serveth] not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.

Psalms 77:15

Thou hast with [thine] arm redeemed thy people, the sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah.

Exodus 13:8

And thou shalt shew thy son in that day, saying, [This is done] because of that [which] the LORD did unto me when I came forth out of Egypt.