God’s Word Translation
Psalms 81:13
13If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me!
Psalms 81:13 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!
- New International Version (NIV)“If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,
- English Standard Version (ESV)Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
- New King James Version (NKJV)“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!
Context of Psalms 81:13
11“But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me. 12So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice. If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me! 14I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes. 15Those who hate the Lord would cringe in front of him, and their time ⌞for punishment⌟ would last forever.
Read all of Psalms 81Psalms 81:13 word by word
ל֗וּ עַ֭מִּי שֹׁמֵ֣עַֽ לִ֑י יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל בִּדְרָכַ֥י יְהַלֵּֽכוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Psalms 81:13
- Deuteronomy 5:29If only they would fear me and obey all my commandments as long as they live! Then things would go well for them and their children forever.
- Deuteronomy 10:12Israel, what does the Lord your God want you to do? He wants you to fear him, follow all his directions, love him, and worship him with all your heart and with all your soul.
- Deuteronomy 32:29If only they were wise enough to understand this and realize what will happen to them!
- Isaiah 48:18If only you had listened to my commands! Your peace would be like a river ⌞that never runs dry⌟. Your righteousness would be like waves on the sea.
- Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets and stone to death those sent to you! How often I wanted to gather your children together the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings! But you were not willing!
- Luke 19:41When he came closer and saw the city, he began to cry.
Commentaries on Psalms 81:13
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 13O that my people had hearkened unto me, - Israel had walked in my ways - Nothing can be more plaintive than the original; sense and sound are surprisingly united. I scruple not to say to him who understands the Hebrew, however learned, he has never found in any poet, Greek or Latin, a finer example of deep-seated grief, unable to express itself in appropriate words without frequent interruptions of sighs and sobs, terminated with a mournful cry. yl (m#…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me - This passage is designed mainly to show what would have been the consequences if the Hebrew people had been obedient to the commands of God, Psalm 81:14-16. At the same time, however, it expresses what was the earnest desire - the wish - the preference of God, namely, that they had been obedient, and had enjoyed his favor. This is in accordance with all the statements, all the commands, all the invitations, all…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 8-16Verses 8-16 We cannot look for too little from the creature, nor too much from the Creator. We may have enough from God, if we pray for it in faith. All the wickedness of the world is owing to man's wilfulness. People are not religious, because they will not be so. God is not the Author of their sin, he leaves them to the lusts of their own hearts, and the counsels of their own heads; if they do not well, the blame must be upon themselves. The Lord is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 13-14God wants to give his goodness to his children, but they must listen (Isaiah 1:18–19; 28:12; 48:18–19; see Deuteronomy 6:3). God promises to defeat the enemies (Deuteronomy 9:3) of those who follow the paths of obedience and loyalty. He will also provide abundantly for his people (Isaiah 1:19).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 13-1613-16. Obedience would have secured all promised blessings and the subjection of foes. In this passage, "should have," "would have," &c., are better, "should" and "would" expressing God's intention at the time, that is, when they left Egypt.Read the comment
Topics related to Psalms 81:13
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Psalms 81
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- The Treasury of David
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries