Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways, New Living Translation Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! English Standard Version Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Berean Standard Bible If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, King James Bible Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! New King James Version “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! New American Standard Bible “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! NASB 1995 “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! NASB 1977 “Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! Legacy Standard Bible Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! Amplified Bible “Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! Christian Standard Bible If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways, Holman Christian Standard Bible If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways, American Standard Version Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! Contemporary English Version "My people, Israel, if only you would listen and do as I say! English Revised Version Oh that my people would hearken unto me, that Israel would walk in my ways! GOD'S WORD® Translation If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me! Good News Translation How I wish my people would listen to me; how I wish they would obey me! International Standard Version If only my people would obey me, if only Israel would walk in my ways! NET Bible If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands! New Heart English Bible Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways. Webster's Bible Translation O that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways! Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, World English Bible Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionO that My people were listening to Me, "" Israel would walk in My ways. Young's Literal Translation O that My people were hearkening to Me, Israel in My ways would walk. Smith's Literal Translation Would that my people heard to me! Israel shall go in my ways. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleIf my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways: Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways, New Revised Standard Version O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleOh that my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated If my people had heard me and Israel had walked in my ways, OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Oh that My people would hearken unto Me, That Israel would walk in My ways! Brenton Septuagint Translation If my people had hearkened to me, if Israel had walked in my ways, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength…12So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. 13If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways, 14how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!… Cross References Deuteronomy 5:29 If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever. Isaiah 48:18 If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea. Jeremiah 7:23-24 but this is what I commanded them: Obey Me, and I will be your God, and you will be My people. You must walk in all the ways I have commanded you, so that it may go well with you. / Yet they did not listen or incline their ear, but they followed the stubborn inclinations of their own evil hearts. They went backward and not forward. Deuteronomy 32:29 If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate. Isaiah 55:3 Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Matthew 23:37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! Luke 19:41-42 As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it / and said, “If only you had known on this day what would bring you peace! But now it is hidden from your eyes. Isaiah 30:15 For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.” Ezekiel 18:31-32 Cast away from yourselves all the transgressions you have committed, and fashion for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. Why should you die, O house of Israel? / For I take no pleasure in anyone’s death, declares the Lord GOD. So repent and live! Hosea 11:8 How could I give you up, O Ephraim? How could I surrender you, O Israel? How could I make you like Admah? How could I treat you like Zeboiim? My heart is turned within Me; My compassion is stirred! Romans 10:21 But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Matthew 11:28-30 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” John 5:40 yet you refuse to come to Me to have life. Acts 7:51 You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. Hebrews 3:7-11 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear His voice, / do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, / where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works. ... Treasury of Scripture Oh that my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways! oh that Deuteronomy 5:29 Deuteronomy 10:12,13 Deuteronomy 32:29 Jump to Previous Ear Follow Hearken Hearkened Hearkening Israel Walk Walked Walking WaysJump to Next Ear Follow Hearken Hearkened Hearkening Israel Walk Walked Walking WaysPsalm 81 1. An exhortation to a solemn praising of God4. God challenges that duty by reason of his benefits 8. God, exhorting to obedience, complains of their disobedience, which proves their own hurt. If only My people would listen to Me This phrase reflects God's deep desire for His people to heed His voice. Throughout the Old Testament, God repeatedly calls Israel to listen and obey (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). Listening in the biblical sense implies not just hearing but also acting upon God's commands. The lament here suggests a history of disobedience and rebellion, as seen in the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 32) and the period of the Judges (Judges 2:11-19). The phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where listening is a key component of faithfulness. It also echoes the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism, emphasizing the importance of hearing and obeying God. if Israel would follow My ways Persons / Places / Events 1. GodThe speaker in this verse, expressing a desire for His people to listen and follow His ways. 2. Israel The chosen people of God, representing the nation that God is addressing in this Psalm. 3. Asaph The author of Psalm 81, a Levite and one of David's chief musicians, who composed this psalm as a call to worship and obedience. 4. Egypt The place from which God delivered the Israelites, referenced earlier in the Psalm as a reminder of God's past faithfulness. 5. Feast of Trumpets The event during which this Psalm was likely sung, a time of gathering and reflection for the Israelites. Teaching Points The Heart of GodGod deeply desires a relationship with His people, characterized by listening and obedience. This reflects His love and care for us. The Importance of Listening Listening to God is not just hearing His words but involves active obedience and following His ways. Consequences of Disobedience Ignoring God's voice leads to missed blessings and unnecessary hardships, as seen in Israel's history. Call to Repentance This verse serves as a call to return to God, to listen and align our lives with His will. Blessings of Obedience Following God's ways leads to peace, protection, and provision, as promised throughout Scripture. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 81In Psalm 81:13–14, how can we reconcile God’s promise to subdue Israel’s enemies with historical records of Israel’s defeats? What does 'We will serve the Lord' mean? What occurred at Meribah in the Bible? In Psalm 81:16, does the claim of satisfying Israel with “honey from the rock” suggest a literal miracle, and how do we address it scientifically?(13, 14) Hearken . . . subdue.--The verbs should be taken in a future sense, "Oh that my people would hearken . . . I should soon subdue," &c. The poet changes from reminiscences of the past to the needs of the present.Verse 13. - Oh that my people had hearkened unto me! rather, would hearken unto me! (see Professor Driver's 'Hebrew Tenses,' § 145, and compare the Revised Version). And Israel had walked in my ways! rather would walk! Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew If onlyל֗וּ (lū) Preposition Strong's 3863: If, would that! My people עַ֭מִּי (‘am·mî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock would listen שֹׁמֵ֣עַֽ (šō·mê·a‘) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently to Me, לִ֑י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew if Israel יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc would follow יְהַלֵּֽכוּ׃ (yə·hal·lê·ḵū) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk My ways, בִּדְרָכַ֥י (biḏ·rā·ḵay) Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action Links Psalm 81:13 NIVPsalm 81:13 NLT Psalm 81:13 ESV Psalm 81:13 NASB Psalm 81:13 KJV Psalm 81:13 BibleApps.com Psalm 81:13 Biblia Paralela Psalm 81:13 Chinese Bible Psalm 81:13 French Bible Psalm 81:13 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people would listen (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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