Those who hate the LORD would feign obedience, and their doom would last forever. Those who hate the LORDThis phrase identifies a group of people who are in direct opposition to God. The Hebrew word for "hate" is "שָׂנֵא" (sane), which implies an intense aversion or enmity. In the biblical context, to hate the LORD is to reject His commandments, His authority, and His love. Historically, this could refer to the nations surrounding Israel that worshipped other gods and opposed the worship of Yahweh. Spiritually, it represents anyone who chooses rebellion over submission to God's will. The Bible consistently portrays such individuals as being in a perilous position, as they are cut off from the blessings and protection that come from a relationship with God. would feign obedience
The Hebrew word here is "כָּחַשׁ" (kachash), which means to deceive or lie. This phrase suggests a superficial or insincere compliance with God's commands. It reflects a heart that is not truly transformed or committed to God, but rather one that pretends to follow Him for personal gain or out of fear of consequences. This hypocrisy is condemned throughout Scripture, as God desires genuine devotion and integrity. The historical context might include those within Israel who outwardly followed religious practices but inwardly were far from God, as seen in the prophetic critiques of Israel's worship. and their doom
The word "doom" in Hebrew is "עִתָּם" (ittam), which can be translated as "time" or "fate." It implies a predetermined outcome or judgment. In the biblical narrative, those who oppose God and His ways are often warned of impending judgment. This reflects the justice of God, who cannot overlook sin and rebellion. The concept of doom here is not just temporal but eternal, indicating the serious consequences of living in opposition to God. would last forever
The phrase "last forever" underscores the eternal nature of the consequences faced by those who reject God. The Hebrew word "עוֹלָם" (olam) is used, which denotes perpetuity or eternity. This serves as a sobering reminder of the eternal separation from God that awaits those who persist in their rebellion. In the broader scriptural context, this aligns with the New Testament teachings on eternal judgment and the finality of one's choices in relation to God. It emphasizes the importance of repentance and turning to God while there is still time. Persons / Places / Events 1. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant God of Israel, who is the central figure in this Psalm, calling His people to obedience and worship. 2. IsraelThe chosen people of God, who are being addressed in this Psalm, reminding them of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. 3. Enemies of GodThose who oppose or hate the LORD, mentioned in this verse as feigning obedience. 4. Feigned ObedienceThe act of pretending to obey or submit, which is insincere and ultimately futile. 5. DoomThe consequence of insincere obedience and hatred towards God, described as lasting forever. Teaching Points Sincerity in WorshipTrue worship requires a heart fully devoted to God, not just outward compliance. Consequences of HypocrisyFeigned obedience leads to lasting consequences, emphasizing the importance of genuine faith. God's Desire for RelationshipGod desires a sincere relationship with His people, not just ritualistic observance. Self-ExaminationBelievers should regularly examine their hearts to ensure their obedience is genuine. Eternal PerspectiveUnderstanding the eternal consequences of our actions can motivate sincere devotion to God. Bible Study Questions 1. What does it mean to "feign obedience" to the LORD, and how can we guard against this in our own lives? 2. How does the concept of feigned obedience in Psalm 81:15 relate to Jesus' teachings on hypocrisy in the Gospels? 3. In what ways can we ensure that our worship and obedience to God are sincere and not just outward rituals? 4. How can the eternal consequences mentioned in this verse motivate us to live a life of genuine faith and obedience? 5. Reflect on a time when you may have struggled with insincere obedience. What steps can you take to cultivate a more authentic relationship with God? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 5:29This verse echoes the desire for genuine obedience from God's people, contrasting with the feigned obedience mentioned in Psalm 81:15. Isaiah 29:13Highlights the issue of people honoring God with their lips while their hearts are far from Him, similar to the insincere obedience in Psalm 81:15. Matthew 15:8-9Jesus quotes Isaiah, addressing the Pharisees' hypocrisy, which parallels the concept of feigned obedience. James 1:22Encourages believers to be doers of the word, not just hearers, which contrasts with the insincere obedience of those who hate the LORD. Revelation 3:15-16Warns against lukewarm faith, which can be seen as a form of feigned obedience. People Asaph, Jacob, Joseph, PsalmistPlaces JerusalemTopics Age, Broken, Cringe, Cringing, Destruction, Dwindle, Endure, Endured, Eternal, Fate, Feign, Forever, Hate, Haters, Hating, Obedience, Pretend, Punishment, Submit, Submitted, ThemselvesDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 81:15 5875 hatred Psalm 81:13-16 4404 food 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 PrayerAsk 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 Links Psalm 81:15 NIVPsalm 81:15 NLTPsalm 81:15 ESVPsalm 81:15 NASBPsalm 81:15 KJV
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