Psalm 81:5

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.

Cross-references

Psalm 77:15 Historical context

Psalm 77:15 recalls God redeeming Joseph — the same exodus event that grounds the decree here.

Psalm 114:1 Allusion

Psalm 114:1 explicitly mentions Israel's exodus from a people of strange language, echoing the 'language I did not understand' in Psalm 81:5.

Psalm 78:5 Parallel

Psalm 78:5 speaks of God establishing a testimony in Jacob, directly paralleling the 'testimony' appointed in Joseph in Psalm 81:5.

Psalm 80:1 Parallel

Psalm 80:1 also uses 'Joseph' as a name for Israel, echoing the same patriarchal reference to God's people.

Psalm 80:2 Historical context

Psalm 80:2 lists tribes descended from Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh) and his brother Benjamin, reinforcing the Joseph connection.

Exodus 12:12 Historical context

Exodus 12:12 describes the Passover judgment that led to Israel's exodus, the event behind the decree in Psalm 81:5.

Exodus 12:27 identifies the Passover as the testimony of the Exodus, directly linking to the 'testimony' appointed in Joseph in Psalm 81:5.

Exodus 12:29 Historical context

Exodus 12:29 records the plague of the firstborn, the actual event of the Exodus that Psalm 81:5 refers to as 'when he went out over Egypt'.

Exodus 13:8 Parallel

Exodus 13:8 commands telling the exodus story to children, linking to the decree established when Israel left Egypt in Psalm 81:5.

Exodus 13:9 Parallel

Exodus 13:9 describes the exodus as a sign and memorial, paralleling the decree in Psalm 81:5 that was established at that time.

Exodus 13:14-16 expands on the exodus memorial, directly connecting to the decree in Psalm 81:5 made when God led Israel out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 5:6 begins the Ten Commandments by recalling the Exodus from Egypt, the same event referenced in Psalm 81:5 as the appointed testimony.

Ezekiel 3:5 Contrast

Ezekiel 3:5 says the prophet is not sent to a foreign-language people, unlike Israel in Egypt who heard an unknown language.