◄ Psalm 81:11 ►
But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me.
Study Bible
But My people
The phrase "But My people" indicates a contrast and a sense of possession. In Hebrew, the word for "people" is "עַם" (am), which often refers to a group that is chosen or set apart. Here, God is speaking of the Israelites, His chosen nation, whom He delivered from Egypt and to whom He gave His laws and covenants. This phrase underscores the intimate relationship between God and Israel, highlighting His role as their divine protector and provider. Historically, this relationship is central to the identity of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes.

would not listen to Me
The phrase "would not listen to Me" reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites often turned away from God's commandments. The Hebrew word for "listen" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just hearing but obeying. This disobedience is not merely a failure to hear but a willful rejection of God's voice and guidance. Throughout their history, the Israelites struggled with idolatry and rebellion, despite the many prophets sent to call them back to faithfulness.

and Israel
"Israel" here is synonymous with God's chosen people, named after Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. This name carries the weight of a covenantal promise, as Israel is the nation through which God intended to reveal Himself to the world. The historical context of Israel is rich with moments of divine intervention, from the Exodus to the establishment of the kingdom under David and Solomon. Each of these moments was an opportunity for Israel to demonstrate faithfulness to God.

would not obey Me
The phrase "would not obey Me" further emphasizes the disobedience of the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "obey" is "אָבָה" (abah), which means to be willing or to consent. This indicates a deliberate choice to reject God's commandments. The historical context of this disobedience is seen throughout the Old Testament, where Israel's failure to obey God often led to consequences such as exile and oppression. This disobedience is a central theme in the prophetic books, where prophets call Israel to repentance and renewal of their covenant with God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. God
- The speaker in this verse, expressing His lament over Israel's disobedience.

2. Israel
- The chosen people of God who are being addressed in this Psalm, representing the collective nation that has turned away from God's commands.

3. Psalm 81
- A psalm attributed to Asaph, focusing on God's deliverance and the people's disobedience.

4. Asaph
- A Levite and one of the leaders of David's choir, traditionally credited with writing several psalms, including Psalm 81.

5. The Exodus
- The historical backdrop of God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, referenced earlier in the psalm as a reminder of God's faithfulness.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Listening to God
Listening to God is crucial for maintaining a relationship with Him. Just as Israel's refusal to listen led to consequences, so too can our spiritual deafness lead us away from God's blessings.

Obedience as a Response to God's Faithfulness
God desires obedience not as a burden but as a response to His faithfulness and love. Reflect on how God has been faithful in your life and let that inspire your obedience.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience leads to spiritual and sometimes physical consequences. Consider the areas in your life where you might be resisting God's guidance and the potential outcomes of that resistance.

God's Persistent Call to His People
Despite Israel's disobedience, God continues to call His people back to Him. This demonstrates His patience and enduring love, encouraging us to return to Him when we stray.

Reflecting on Our Own Hearts
Use this verse as a mirror to examine your own heart. Are there areas where you are not listening to God? Seek to align your heart with His will.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some ways we can actively listen to God in our daily lives, and how does this compare to Israel's response in Psalm 81:11?

2. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of not obeying God. How did that experience shape your understanding of obedience?

3. How can we ensure that our obedience to God is motivated by love and gratitude rather than obligation?

4. In what ways does the lament in Psalm 81:11 remind you of Jesus' lament over Jerusalem in the New Testament?

5. How can we encourage one another in our communities to listen and obey God's voice, drawing from the lessons in Psalm 81:11?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 5:29
- This verse echoes God's desire for His people to have a heart that fears Him and keeps His commandments, similar to the lament in Psalm 81:11.

Jeremiah 7:24
- This passage describes Israel's refusal to listen to God, paralleling the disobedience mentioned in Psalm 81:11.

Matthew 23:37
- Jesus laments over Jerusalem's unwillingness to listen, reflecting the same heartache God expresses in Psalm 81:11.

Hebrews 3:7-11
- The author warns against hardening hearts as Israel did, directly connecting to the theme of disobedience in Psalm 81:11.
Sermons
The Sin of Self-WillR. Tuck Psalm 81:11
A Revelation of Three Great SubjectsHomilistPsalm 81:1-16
Exhortation to Sing God's PraisePsalm 81:1-16
AbandonedL. A. Banks, D. D.Psalm 81:11-12
Danger of Presuming on God's MercyPlain Sermons by Contributors to the, Tracts for the Times. "Psalm 81:11-12
Deliverance to a Man's Own Lust Involves the Greatest RuinHomilistPsalm 81:11-12
Given UpS. Conway Psalm 81:11, 12
Man Divinely Abandoned to His LustsHomilistPsalm 81:11-12
The Case of Those Who are Given Up to Their Own Hearts' LustsJohn Shower.Psalm 81:11-12
The Day of GraceJohn Shower.Psalm 81:11-12
The Groundless Doubts and Mistaken Apprehensions of Some as to Their Being Finally Forsaken and Left of GodJohn Shower.Psalm 81:11-12
People
Asaph, Jacob, Joseph, Psalmist
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Consented, Desired, Didn't, Ear, Hearken, Hearkened, Listen, None, Nothing, Obey, Submit, Voice
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Psalm 81:11

     5165   listening
     5885   indifference

Psalm 81:11-12

     5541   society, negative
     5901   loneliness
     6185   imagination, desires
     6245   stubbornness
     8351   teachableness

Psalm 81:11-13

     6231   rejection of God

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
 …
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

Links
Psalm 81:11 NIV
Psalm 81:11 NLT
Psalm 81:11 ESV
Psalm 81:11 NASB
Psalm 81:11 KJV

Psalm 81:11 Commentaries

Bible Hub
Psalm 81:10
Top of Page
Top of Page