CINXE.COM

<!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 81:12 So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/81-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/19_Psa_081_012.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 81:12 - Sing for Joy to God, Our Strength" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices." /><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/81-12.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/81-12.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 12</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="/ad12.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/81-11.htm" title="Psalm 81:11">◄</a> Psalm 81:12 <a href="/psalms/81-13.htm" title="Psalm 81:13">►</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 />So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/81.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So I let them follow their own stubborn desires, living according to their own ideas.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/81.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/81.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/81.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: <i>and</i> they walked in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/81.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So I gave them over to their own stubborn heart, To walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/81.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk by their own plans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/81.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“So I gave them over to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/81.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So I released them over to the stubbornness of their heart, That they would walk in their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/81.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“So I gave them up to the stubbornness of their heart, To walk in [the path of] their own counsel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/81.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/81.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own plans. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/81.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, That they might walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/81.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />So I let you be stubborn and keep on following your own advice. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/81.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, that they might walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/81.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/81.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So I let them go their stubborn ways and do whatever they wanted. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/81.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So I allowed them to continue in their stubbornness, living by their own advice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/81.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/81.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />I gave them over to their stubborn desires; they did what seemed right to them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/81.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/81.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />So I gave them up to their own hearts lust: and they walked in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/81.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/81.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And I send them away in the enmity of their heart, "" They walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/81.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And I send them away in the enmity of their heart, They walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/81.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And I will send him forth in the hardnesses of their heart: they shall go in their counsels.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/81.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />So I let them go according to the desires of their heart: they shall walk in their own inventions. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/81.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 80:13>And so, I sent them away, according to the desires of their heart. They will go forth according to their own inventions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/81.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />So I thrust them away to the hardness of their heart; ‘Let them walk in their own machinations.’ <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/81.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/81.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />So they walked according to the desires of their own hearts and according to their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/81.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />But they walked in the desire of their heart and in the counsel of their souls.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/81.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />So I let them go after the stubbornness of their heart, That they might walk in their own counsels.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/81.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />So I let them go after the ways of their own hearts: they will go on in their own ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/81-12.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=10292" 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">11</span>But My people would not listen to Me, and Israel would not obey Me. <span class="reftext">12</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: wā·’ă·šal·lə·ḥê·hū (Conj-w:: V-Piel-ConsecImperf-1cs:: 3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">So I gave them up</a> <a href="/hebrew/8307.htm" title="8307: biš·rî·rūṯ (Prep-b:: N-fsc) -- Firmness, stubbornness. From sharar in the sense of twisted, i.e. Firm; obstinacy.">to their stubborn</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lib·bām (N-msc:: 3mp) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">hearts</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: yê·lə·ḵū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">to follow</a> <a href="/hebrew/4156.htm" title="4156: bə·mō·w·‘ă·ṣō·w·ṯê·hem (Prep-b:: N-fpc:: 3mp) -- Counsel, plan, principle, device. From ya'ats; a purpose.">their own devices.</a> </span><span class="reftext">13</span>If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,…<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="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24-25</a></span><br />Therefore God gave them over in the desires of their hearts to impurity for the dishonoring of their bodies with one another. / They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42</a></span><br />But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm">Proverbs 1:29-31</a></span><br />For they hated knowledge and chose not to fear the LORD. / They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof. / So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-2.htm">Isaiah 65:2</a></span><br />All day long I have held out My hands to an obstinate people who walk in the wrong path, who follow their own imaginations,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a></span><br />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="/hosea/4-17.htm">Hosea 4:17</a></span><br />Ephraim is joined to idols; leave him alone!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/2-10.htm">2 Thessalonians 2:10-12</a></span><br />and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, / in order that judgment may come upon all who have disbelieved the truth and delighted in wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/29-19.htm">Deuteronomy 29:19</a></span><br />because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/20-25.htm">Ezekiel 20:25-26</a></span><br />I also gave them over to statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live. / And I pronounced them unclean through their gifts—the sacrifice of every firstborn in the fire—so that I might devastate them, in order that they would know that I am the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-15.htm">2 Kings 17:15</a></span><br />They rejected His statutes and the covenant He had made with their fathers, as well as the decrees He had given them. They pursued worthless idols and became worthless themselves, going after the surrounding nations that the LORD had commanded them not to imitate.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-19.htm">Judges 2:19</a></span><br />But when the judge died, the Israelites became even more corrupt than their fathers, going after other gods to serve them and bow down to them. They would not give up their evil practices and stubborn ways.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1</a></span><br />“Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/13-10.htm">Jeremiah 13:10</a></span><br />These evil people, who refuse to listen to My words, who follow the stubbornness of their own hearts, and who go after other gods to serve and worship them, they will be like this loincloth—of no use at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/15-14.htm">Matthew 15:14</a></span><br />Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/12-40.htm">John 12:40</a></span><br />“He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts, so that they cannot see with their eyes, and understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">So I gave them up to their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels.</p><p class="hdg">I gave</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a></b></br> And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also <i>is</i> flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/7-42.htm">Acts 7:42</a></b></br> Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices <i>by the space of</i> forty years in the wilderness?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/acts/14-16.htm">Acts 14:16</a></b></br> Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways.</p><p class="hdg">their own hearts' lust.</p><p class="hdg">they walked</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/11-9.htm">Exodus 11:9</a></b></br> And the LORD said unto Moses, Pharaoh shall not hearken unto you; that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/30-1.htm">Isaiah 30:1</a></b></br> Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin:</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a></b></br> But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels <i>and</i> in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/20-4.htm">Counsels</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/psalms/38-12.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/joshua/20-5.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/psalms/78-49.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/68-25.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/psalms/78-72.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/78-57.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/psalms/78-30.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/psalms/58-2.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/psalms/78-8.htm">Stubborn</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-23.htm">Stubbornness</a> <a href="/psalms/78-10.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/55-14.htm">Walked</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/1-5.htm">Counsels</a> <a href="/psalms/103-5.htm">Desires</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-31.htm">Devices</a> <a href="/ezekiel/25-15.htm">Enmity</a> <a href="/psalms/89-22.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/81-13.htm">Follow</a> <a href="/psalms/83-5.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/psalms/84-5.htm">Hearts</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-25.htm">Lust</a> <a href="/psalms/106-43.htm">Purposes</a> <a href="/proverbs/7-11.htm">Stubborn</a> <a href="/jeremiah/3-17.htm">Stubbornness</a> <a href="/psalms/81-13.htm">Walk</a> <a href="/psalms/81-13.htm">Walked</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>So I gave them up</b><br>This phrase reflects God's response to the persistent disobedience of His people. It echoes the divine judgment seen in <a href="/romans/1-24.htm">Romans 1:24</a>, where God allows individuals to pursue their sinful desires as a form of judgment. This concept is rooted in the idea of free will, where God permits humans to make their own choices, even when those choices lead away from Him. Historically, this reflects periods in Israel's history where they turned away from God, such as during the time of the Judges when "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>).<p><b>to their stubborn hearts</b><br>The term "stubborn hearts" indicates a willful resistance to God's guidance and commandments. Biblically, the heart is often seen as the center of will and emotion. In <a href="/ezekiel/36-26.htm">Ezekiel 36:26</a>, God promises to replace a heart of stone with a heart of flesh, highlighting the transformation needed for true obedience. The stubbornness of Israel is a recurring theme, seen in their repeated idolatry and rebellion against God's covenant, as in the wilderness wanderings (Exodus 32).<p><b>to follow their own devices</b><br>This phrase suggests a departure from divine wisdom to human schemes and plans. <a href="/proverbs/14-12.htm">Proverbs 14:12</a> warns that "there is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." The historical context includes Israel's alliances with foreign nations and adoption of pagan practices, which often led to their downfall. Spiritually, this reflects the human tendency to rely on self rather than God, a theme that is countered by the call to trust in the Lord with all one's heart (<a href="/proverbs/3-5.htm">Proverbs 3:5-6</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 His response to the Israelites' disobedience.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who are being addressed in this Psalm, known for their history of rebellion and idolatry.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/stubborn_hearts.htm">Stubborn Hearts</a></b><br>A metaphorical description of the Israelites' resistance to God's guidance and commandments.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/d/devices.htm">Devices</a></b><br>Refers to the plans or schemes that the Israelites pursued, which were contrary to God's will.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/p/psalmist.htm">Psalmist</a></b><br>Traditionally attributed to Asaph, who is conveying God's message to the people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_stubbornness.htm">The Danger of Stubbornness</a></b><br>Stubbornness in our hearts can lead us away from God's will and into spiritual danger. We must remain open to God's guidance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/consequences_of_disobedience.htm">Consequences of Disobedience</a></b><br>When we persist in our own ways, God may allow us to experience the consequences of our choices, which can serve as a wake-up call.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_patience_and_justice.htm">God's Patience and Justice</a></b><br>While God is patient, there is a point where He allows us to face the results of our rebellion, emphasizing His justice.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a></b><br>Regularly examine your heart and motives to ensure they align with God's will, avoiding the pitfalls of self-reliance.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/seeking_god's_guidance.htm">Seeking God's Guidance</a></b><br>Actively seek God's wisdom and direction in all areas of life to prevent the hardening of your heart.<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/what_is_the_bible's_'beginning_of_sorrows'.htm">Why did God abandon them?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_do_2_sam_24_and_1_chr_21_differ.htm">Why do 2 Samuel 24 and 1 Chronicles 21 differ in their attribution of who prompted David’s census—God or Satan?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_20_25_align_with_god's_justice.htm">Ezekiel 20:25 mentions God giving Israel “statutes that were not good”; how does this align with the concept of a just and unchanging God elsewhere in Scripture? </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><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/81.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(12) <span class= "bld">Lust.</span>--Rather, <span class= "ital">stubbornness, </span>or <span class= "ital">perversity, </span>from root meaning "to twist."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/81.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 12.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust.</span> God's Spirit will not always strive with men (<a href="/genesis/6-3.htm">Genesis 6:3</a>). After a time, if they persist in evil courses and disobedience to his commands, he "gives them up," withdraws from them, leaves them to themselves, to the "lust," or rather "stubbornness" of their own hearts - to their own perverse wills and imaginations. <span class="cmt_word">And they walked in their own counsels</span> (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/7-24.htm">Jeremiah 7:24</a>). This result is inevitable. If God no longer guides their thoughts and enlightens their understandings, they can but follow their own foolish counsels, and the result cannot but be disastrous. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/81-12.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">So I gave them up</span><br /><span class="heb">וָֽ֭אֲשַׁלְּחֵהוּ</span> <span class="translit">(wā·’ă·šal·lə·ḥê·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to their stubborn</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּשְׁרִיר֣וּת</span> <span class="translit">(biš·rî·rūṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8307.htm">Strong's 8307: </a> </span><span class="str2">Firmness, stubbornness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">hearts</span><br /><span class="heb">לִבָּ֑ם</span> <span class="translit">(lib·bām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to follow</span><br /><span class="heb">יֵ֝לְכ֗וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yê·lə·ḵū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - 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">their own devices.</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּֽמוֹעֲצוֹתֵיהֶֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(bə·mō·w·‘ă·ṣō·w·ṯê·hem)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4156.htm">Strong's 4156: </a> </span><span class="str2">Counsel, plan, principle, device</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/81-12.htm">Psalm 81:12 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/81-12.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 81:12 So I let them go after (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/81-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 81:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/81-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 81:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 81:13" /></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>