◄ 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
Study Bible
In your distress
The phrase "In your distress" refers to a time of trouble or affliction. The Hebrew word for distress here is "tsarah," which conveys a sense of tightness or being in a narrow place, symbolizing the pressure and constraints of difficult circumstances. Historically, the Israelites often found themselves in distress due to external threats or internal disobedience. This phrase reminds us that God is attentive to our struggles and is a source of comfort and deliverance.

you called
The act of calling upon God is a recurring theme in the Psalms, emphasizing the importance of prayer and reliance on divine intervention. The Hebrew word "qara" implies a loud cry or proclamation, suggesting urgency and desperation. This reflects the Israelites' dependence on God during times of crisis, and it encourages believers today to seek God earnestly in prayer, trusting in His willingness to respond.

and I rescued you
God's response to the call of His people is one of deliverance. The Hebrew word "chalats" means to draw out or deliver, indicating God's active role in saving His people from peril. This phrase underscores God's faithfulness and power to save, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. It serves as a reminder of God's past faithfulness and His promise to be a refuge for those who trust in Him.

I answered you
The phrase "I answered you" highlights God's responsiveness to prayer. The Hebrew word "anah" suggests a reply or response, indicating that God is not distant or indifferent but actively engaged with His people. This assurance of divine communication encourages believers to maintain a dialogue with God, confident that He hears and responds to their needs.

from the cloud
The "cloud" is a significant symbol in the Old Testament, often representing God's presence and glory. In the wilderness, God led the Israelites by a pillar of cloud, signifying His guidance and protection. The mention of the cloud here evokes the memory of God's tangible presence with His people, reassuring them of His continual oversight and involvement in their lives.

of the thunder
Thunder is frequently associated with God's voice and power in the Bible. It conveys the majesty and authority of God, who speaks and acts with might. The imagery of thunder serves to remind the Israelites of God's awe-inspiring presence at Mount Sinai, where He gave the law amidst thunder and lightning. It calls believers to reverence and awe in the presence of the Almighty.

I tested you
Testing is a theme throughout Scripture, where God examines the faith and obedience of His people. The Hebrew word "bachan" means to examine or prove, indicating a process of refining and strengthening. God's testing is not punitive but purposed for growth and maturity, encouraging believers to trust in His wisdom and sovereignty during trials.

at the waters of Meribah
Meribah is a place of contention and testing for the Israelites, where they quarreled with Moses and doubted God's provision. The historical context of Meribah serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbelief and disobedience. It reminds believers of the importance of faith and trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem dire. The reference to Meribah calls for reflection on past failures and a renewed commitment to faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
The 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 Distress
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.

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
1. How does the imagery of the thundercloud in Psalm 81:7 enhance your understanding of God's presence and power?

2. In what ways can you relate to the Israelites' experience at Meribah, and how can you apply the lessons learned from their testing to your own life?

3. Reflect on a time when you called out to God in distress. How did you experience His rescue or provision?

4. How can the historical events of the Israelites' journey inform your current walk of faith and trust in God's promises?

5. What practical steps can you take to ensure that you respond to God's testing with faith and obedience rather than doubt and complaint?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20:1-13
These passages recount the events at Meribah, where the Israelites tested God by complaining about the lack of water, and God provided water from the rock.

Psalm 18:6
This verse also speaks of calling upon the Lord in distress and being heard, emphasizing God's responsiveness to His people's cries.

Deuteronomy 8:2
This verse highlights the concept of testing, as God led the Israelites through the wilderness to test and know what was in their hearts.
Sermons
Answers to Prayer Often Come MysteriouslyHomilistPsalm 81:7
The Place of ThunderT. De Witt Talmage.Psalm 81:7
The Secret Place of ThunderR. Tuck Psalm 81:7
A Revelation of Three Great SubjectsHomilistPsalm 81:1-16
Exhortation to Sing God's PraisePsalm 81:1-16
People
Asaph, Jacob, Joseph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Calledst, Cry, Deliver, Delivered, Distress, Free, Hast, Hiding, Meribah, Mer'ibah, Proved, Rescued, Secret, Selah, Test, Tested, Thunder, Thundercloud, Trouble, Try, Waters
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 81:7

     4019   life, believers' experience
     4852   thunder
     8614   prayer, answers
     8666   praise, manner and methods

Psalm 81:1-7

     8609   prayer, as praise and thanksgiving

Library
Chapter I Beginning and Early Days of the Orphan Work.
BEGINNING AND EARLY DAYS OF THE ORPHAN WORK. "That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ."--1 Peter, i. 7. Mr. George Mueller, the founder of the New Orphan-Houses, Ashley Down, Bristol (institutions that have been for many years the greatest monuments of modern times to a prayer-answering God), gives in that most valuable and instructive book, "A …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer

Ask what I Shall Give Thee. 1Ki 3:05
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John Newton—Olney Hymns

How Christ is the Way in General, "I am the Way. "
We come now to speak more particularly to the words; and, first, Of his being a way. Our design being to point at the way of use-making of Christ in all our necessities, straits, and difficulties which are in our way to heaven; and particularly to point out the way how believers should make use of Christ in all their particular exigencies; and so live by faith in him, walk in him, grow up in him, advance and march forward toward glory in him. It will not be amiss to speak of this fulness of Christ …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life

Religion Pleasant to the Religious.
"O taste and see how gracious the Lord is; blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."--Psalm xxxiv. 8. You see by these words what love Almighty God has towards us, and what claims He has upon our love. He is the Most High, and All-Holy. He inhabiteth eternity: we are but worms compared with Him. He would not be less happy though He had never created us; He would not be less happy though we were all blotted out again from creation. But He is the God of love; He brought us all into existence, …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII

The Heart's Desire Given to Help Mission Work in China.
"Sept. 30 [1869].--From Yorkshire L50.--Received also One Thousand Pounds to-day for the Lord's work in China. About this donation it is especially to be noticed, that for months it had been my earnest desire to do more than ever for Mission Work in China, and I had already taken steps to carry out this desire, when this donation of One Thousand Pounds came to hand. This precious answer to prayer for means should be a particular encouragement to all who are engaged in the Lord's work, and who may …
George Müller—Answers to Prayer

The Fifth Day in Passion-Week - Make Ready the Passover!'
When the traitor returned from Jerusalem on the Wednesday afternoon, the Passover, in the popular and canonical, though not in the Biblical sense, was close at hand. It began on the 14th Nisan, that is, from the appearance of the first three stars on Wednesday evening [the evening of what had been the 13th], and ended with the first three stars on Thursday evening [the evening of what had been the 14th day of Nisan]. As this is an exceedingly important point, it is well here to quote the precise …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Spiritual Hunger Shall be Satisfied
They shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 I proceed now to the second part of the text. A promise annexed. They shall be filled'. A Christian fighting with sin is not like one that beats the air' (1 Corinthians 9:26), and his hungering after righteousness is not like one that sucks in only air, Blessed are they that hunger, for they shall be filled.' Those that hunger after righteousness shall be filled. God never bids us seek him in vain' (Isaiah 45:19). Here is an honeycomb dropping into the mouths of …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Second Coming of Christ.
^A Matt. XXIV. 29-51; ^B Mark XIII. 24-37; ^C Luke XXI. 25-36. ^b 24 But in those days, ^a immediately after the { ^b that} ^a tribulation of those days. [Since the coming of Christ did not follow close upon the destruction of Jerusalem, the word "immediately" used by Matthew is somewhat puzzling. There are, however, three ways in which it may be explained: 1. That Jesus reckons the time after his own divine, and not after our human, fashion. Viewing the word in this light, the passage at II. Pet. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Covenanting Adapted to the Moral Constitution of Man.
The law of God originates in his nature, but the attributes of his creatures are due to his sovereignty. The former is, accordingly, to be viewed as necessarily obligatory on the moral subjects of his government, and the latter--which are all consistent with the holiness of the Divine nature, are to be considered as called into exercise according to his appointment. Hence, also, the law of God is independent of his creatures, though made known on their account; but the operation of their attributes …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

How Does it Come?
How does the Filling of the Spirit come? "Does it come once for all? or is it always coming, as it were?" was a question addressed to me once by a young candidate for the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. There are many asking the same question. We have considered how the Fullness is obtained, but now we proceed to consider, How does the Fullness come? In speaking of the blessing of being filled with the Spirit, the New Testament writers use three tenses in the Greek--the Aorist, the Imperfect, and the …
John MacNeil—The Spirit-Filled Life

The Nature of Spiritual Hunger
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness Matthew 5:6 We are now come to the fourth step of blessedness: Blessed are they that hunger'. The words fall into two parts: a duty implied; a promise annexed. A duty implied: Blessed are they that hunger'. Spiritual hunger is a blessed hunger. What is meant by hunger? Hunger is put for desire (Isaiah 26:9). Spiritual hunger is the rational appetite whereby the soul pants after that which it apprehends most suitable and proportional …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
Sanctifying grace is defined by Deharbe as "an unmerited, supernatural gift, imparted to the soul by the Holy Ghost, by which we are made just, children of God, and heirs of Heaven." As it makes sinners just, sanctifying grace is also called justifying, though this appellation can not be applied to the sanctification of our first parents in Paradise or to that of the angels and the sinless soul of Christ. Justification, as we have shown, consists in the infusion of sanctifying grace, and hence it …
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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