New Living Translation
Psalms 81:13
13Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!
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 no, my people wouldn’t listen. Israel did not want me around. 12So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas. Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths! 14How quickly I would then subdue their enemies! How soon my hands would be upon their foes! 15Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him; they would be doomed 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 5:29Oh, that they would always have hearts like this, that they might fear me and obey all my commands! If they did, they and their descendants would prosper forever.
- Deuteronomy 10:12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you? He requires only that you fear the Lord your God, and live in a way that pleases him, and love him and serve him with all your heart and soul.
- Deuteronomy 32:29Oh, that they were wise and could understand this! Oh, that they might know their fate!
- Isaiah 48:18Oh, that you had listened to my commands! Then you would have had peace flowing like a gentle river and righteousness rolling over you like waves in the sea.
- Matthew 23:37“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.
- Luke 19:41But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep.
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
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