Psalm 81:13
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!

Majority Standard Bible
If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow 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!

World English Bible
Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
O 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 Bible
If my people had heard me: if Israel had walked in my ways:

Catholic Public Domain Version
If my people had heard me, if Israel had walked in my ways,

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 Bible
Oh 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 1917
Oh 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
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!

Deuteronomy 10:12,13
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, …

Deuteronomy 32:29
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

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Ear Follow Hearken Hearkened Hearkening Israel Walk Walked Walking Ways
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Ear Follow Hearken Hearkened Hearkening Israel Walk Walked Walking Ways
Psalm 81
1. An exhortation to a solemn praising of God
4. 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
The phrase "If only" conveys a deep yearning and lament from God, expressing His desire for His people to heed His voice. In Hebrew, this is often expressed with a longing that suggests a missed opportunity or a conditional hope. It reflects God's heart, full of compassion and patience, longing for a relationship with His people. This phrase sets the tone for the verse, emphasizing the importance of listening to God as a foundational aspect of faith.

My people
"My people" refers to the Israelites, God's chosen nation, with whom He established a covenant. This term is deeply rooted in the Hebrew word "עַמִּי" (ammi), which signifies a personal and possessive relationship. It underscores the special bond and responsibility that comes with being God's people. Historically, Israel was set apart to be a light to the nations, and this phrase reminds them of their identity and calling.

would listen
The act of listening in Hebrew, "שָׁמַע" (shama), goes beyond mere auditory reception; it implies obedience and action. In the biblical context, to listen to God means to heed His commandments and align one's life with His will. This call to listen is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, highlighting the importance of being attentive to God's voice amidst the noise of the world.

to Me
"To Me" emphasizes the personal nature of the relationship between God and His people. It is not just about following rules but about engaging in a personal relationship with the Creator. This phrase invites believers to direct their attention and devotion solely to God, recognizing Him as the ultimate authority and source of life.

if Israel
"Israel" refers to the descendants of Jacob, who was renamed Israel after wrestling with God. This name carries the connotation of struggle and perseverance in faith. Historically, Israel's journey is marked by cycles of faithfulness and rebellion, and this verse calls them back to their foundational identity as God's covenant people.

would follow
The phrase "would follow" suggests a path or way of life that is in alignment with God's commandments. In Hebrew, the concept of following is often linked to walking, "הָלַךְ" (halak), which implies a continuous, active journey. It is a call to live out one's faith in daily actions, consistently choosing God's path over worldly ways.

My ways
"My ways" refers to the divine laws and principles that God has set forth for His people. These ways are not arbitrary but are designed for the well-being and flourishing of His people. In the broader biblical narrative, God's ways are often contrasted with human ways, highlighting the wisdom and righteousness inherent in following God's path. This phrase invites believers to trust in God's perfect plan and to seek His guidance in all aspects of life.

(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 only
ל֗וּ (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


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OT Poetry: Psalm 81:13 Oh that my people would listen (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 81:12
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