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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 81:13 If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/81-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/19_Psa_081_013.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 81:13 - Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/81-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/81-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/81.htm">Chapter 81</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm" title="Psalm 81:12">◄</a> Psalm 81:13 <a href="/psalms/81-14.htm" title="Psalm 81:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/81.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220If my people would only listen to me, if Israel would only follow my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/81.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Oh, that my people would listen to me! Oh, that Israel would follow me, walking in my paths!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/81.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh, that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/81.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, <i>and</i> Israel had walked in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/81.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/81.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/81.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Oh that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/81.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Oh, that My people would listen to Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/81.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only my people would listen to me and Israel would follow my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/81.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only My people would listen to Me and Israel would follow My ways, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/81.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/81.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />"My people, Israel, if only you would listen and do as I say! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/81.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Oh that my people would hearken unto me, that Israel would walk in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/81.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/81.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />How I wish my people would listen to me; how I wish they would obey me! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/81.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />If only my people would obey me, if only Israel would walk in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/81.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/81.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />If only my people would obey me! If only Israel would keep my commands! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/81.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/81.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />O that my people had hearkened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/81.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/81.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />O that My people were listening to Me, "" Israel would walk in My ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/81.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> O that My people were hearkening to Me, Israel in My ways would walk.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/81.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Would that my people heard to me! Israel shall go in my ways.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/81.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />If my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/81.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 80:14>If my people had heard me, if Israel had walked in my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/81.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/81.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/81.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Oh that my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/81.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />If my people had heard me and Israel had walked in my ways,<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/81.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Oh that My people would hearken unto Me, That Israel would walk in My ways!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/81.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />If my people had hearkened to me, if Israel had walked in my ways,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/81-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=10298" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3863.htm" title="3863: lū (Prep) -- If, oh that. Or lu; or luw; a conditional particle; if; by implication would that!">If only</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mî (N-msc:: 1cs) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">My people</a> <a href="/hebrew/8085.htm" title="8085: šō·mê·a‘ (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To hear. A primitive root; to hear intelligently.">would listen</a> <a href="/hebrew/lî (Prep:: 1cs) -- ">to Me,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3478.htm" title="3478: yiś·rā·’êl (N-proper-ms) -- From sarah and 'el; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also of his posterity.">if Israel</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yə·hal·lê·ḵū (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">would follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/1870.htm" title="1870: biḏ·rā·ḵay (Prep-b:: N-cpc:: 1cs) -- Way, road, distance, journey, manner. From darak; a road; figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb.">My ways,</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>how soon I would subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their foes!…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/5-29.htm">Deuteronomy 5:29</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/48-18.htm">Isaiah 48:18</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-23.htm">Jeremiah 7:23-24</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Deuteronomy 32:29</a></span><br />If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-3.htm">Isaiah 55:3</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-37.htm">Matthew 23:37</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/19-41.htm">Luke 19:41-42</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-15.htm">Isaiah 30:15</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/18-31.htm">Ezekiel 18:31-32</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hosea/11-8.htm">Hosea 11:8</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/10-21.htm">Romans 10:21</a></span><br />But as for Israel he says: “All day long I have held out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />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.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/5-40.htm">John 5:40</a></span><br />yet you refuse to come to Me to have life.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-51.htm">Acts 7:51</a></span><br />You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/3-7.htm">Hebrews 3:7-11</a></span><br />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. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Oh that my people had listened to me, and Israel had walked in my ways!</p><p class="hdg">oh that</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/5-29.htm">Deuteronomy 5:29</a></b></br> O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/10-12.htm">Deuteronomy 10:12,13</a></b></br> And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/32-29.htm">Deuteronomy 32:29</a></b></br> O that they were wise, <i>that</i> they understood this, <i>that</i> they would consider their latter end!</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/81-11.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/psalms/81-11.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/psalms/81-11.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/job/34-34.htm">Hearkening</a> <a href="/psalms/81-11.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/psalms/73-9.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/psalms/77-13.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/82-3.htm">Ear</a> <a href="/psalms/89-30.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/psalms/86-6.htm">Hearken</a> <a href="/psalms/106-25.htm">Hearkened</a> <a href="/psalms/103-20.htm">Hearkening</a> <a href="/psalms/83-4.htm">Israel</a> <a href="/psalms/82-5.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/119-3.htm">Walked</a> <a href="/psalms/84-11.htm">Walking</a> <a href="/psalms/84-5.htm">Ways</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 81</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-1.htm">An exhortation to a solemn praising of God</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-4.htm">God challenges that duty by reason of his benefits</a></span><br><span class="reftext">8. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/81-8.htm">God, exhorting to obedience, complains of their disobedience, which proves their own hurt.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/81.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/81.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>If only My people would listen to Me</b><br>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 (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-4.htm">Deuteronomy 6:4-5</a>). 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 (<a href="/judges/2-11.htm">Judges 2:11-19</a>). 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.<p><b>if Israel would follow My ways</b><br>This part of the verse highlights the path of righteousness that God has set for His people. "My ways" refers to the laws and commandments given to Israel, which are meant to guide them in living a life that reflects God's holiness (<a href="/leviticus/19-2.htm">Leviticus 19:2</a>). The historical context includes the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 20) and the repeated calls to follow God's statutes (<a href="/deuteronomy/5-33.htm">Deuteronomy 5:33</a>). The phrase suggests a conditional promise, where blessings follow obedience (<a href="/deuteronomy/28.htm">Deuteronomy 28:1-14</a>). It also points to the prophetic hope of a future restoration when Israel will fully follow God's ways (<a href="/jeremiah/31-33.htm">Jeremiah 31:33</a>). In a typological sense, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of God's ways, and through Him, believers are empowered to walk in obedience (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>, <a href="/romans/8-4.htm">Romans 8:4</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The speaker in this verse, expressing a desire for His people to listen and follow His ways.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a></b><br>The chosen people of God, representing the nation that God is addressing in this Psalm.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/asaph.htm">Asaph</a></b><br>The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Psalm 81</a>, a Levite and one of David's chief musicians, who composed this psalm as a call to worship and obedience.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The place from which God delivered the Israelites, referenced earlier in the Psalm as a reminder of God's past faithfulness.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/feast_of_trumpets.htm">Feast of Trumpets</a></b><br>The event during which this Psalm was likely sung, a time of gathering and reflection for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart_of_god.htm">The Heart of God</a></b><br>God deeply desires a relationship with His people, characterized by listening and obedience. This reflects His love and care for us.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_listening.htm">The Importance of Listening</a></b><br>Listening to God is not just hearing His words but involves active obedience and following His ways.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>Ignoring God's voice leads to missed blessings and unnecessary hardships, as seen in Israel's history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_repentance.htm">Call to Repentance</a></b><br>This verse serves as a call to return to God, to listen and align our lives with His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/b/blessings_of_obedience.htm">Blessings of Obedience</a></b><br>Following God's ways leads to peace, protection, and provision, as promised throughout Scripture.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_81.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 81</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_psalm_81_13-14_with_defeats.htm">In Psalm 81:13–14, how can we reconcile God’s promise to subdue Israel’s enemies with historical records of Israel’s defeats? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'let_your_yes_be_yes'_mean.htm">What does 'We will serve the Lord' mean?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_is_patmos_in_the_bible.htm">What occurred at Meribah in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_'honey_from_the_rock'_a_literal_miracle.htm">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?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/81.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13, 14) <span class= "bld">Hearken . . . subdue.</span>--The verbs should be taken in a future sense, "Oh that my people would hearken <span class= "bld">. . .</span> I should soon subdue," &c. The poet changes from reminiscences of the past to the needs of the present.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/81.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Oh that my people had hearkened unto me!</span> rather, <span class="accented">would hearken unto me</span>! (see Professor Driver's 'Hebrew Tenses,' § 145, and compare the Revised Version). <span class="cmt_word">And Israel had walked in my ways!</span> rather <span class="accented">would walk!</span> <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/81-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">If only</span><br /><span class="heb">ל֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(lū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3863.htm">Strong's 3863: </a> </span><span class="str2">If, would that!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַ֭מִּי</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would listen</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁמֵ֣עַֽ</span> <span class="translit">(šō·mê·a‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8085.htm">Strong's 8085: </a> </span><span class="str2">To hear intelligently</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to Me,</span><br /><span class="heb">לִ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> </span><span class="str2"></span><br /><br /><span class="word">if Israel</span><br /><span class="heb">יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·rā·’êl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3478.htm">Strong's 3478: </a> </span><span class="str2">Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc</span><br /><br /><span class="word">would follow</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהַלֵּֽכוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yə·hal·lê·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">My ways,</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּדְרָכַ֥י</span> <span class="translit">(biḏ·rā·ḵay)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - common plural construct | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1870.htm">Strong's 1870: </a> </span><span class="str2">A road, a course of life, mode of action</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/81-13.htm">Psalm 81:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/81-13.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people would listen (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 81:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/81-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 81:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>