Psalms 81:8

ยถ Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;

Hear {H8085}{H8798)}, O my people {H5971}, and I will testify {H5749}{H8686)} unto thee: O Israel {H3478}, if thou wilt hearken {H8085}{H8799)} unto me;

"'Hear, my people, while I give you warning! Isra'el, if you would only listen to me!

Hear, O My people, and I will warn you: O Israel, if only you would listen to Me!

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wouldest hearken unto me!

Commentary

Psalm 81:8 is a direct and urgent appeal from God to His people, Israel, emphasizing the critical importance of attentive listening and obedience. It serves as a preamble to a divine lament and exhortation, where God reminds Israel of His past faithfulness and their repeated failures to hearken to His voice. This verse encapsulates the essence of the covenant relationship: God speaks, and His people are called to respond with obedience.

Context

Psalm 81 is a unique blend of a call to worship and a prophetic oracle from God Himself. The psalm begins with an exhortation to rejoice in God, perhaps in connection with the Feast of Trumpets or Booths, commemorating Israel's deliverance from Egypt. The latter half of the psalm, starting around verse 6, shifts to God speaking directly, reminding Israel of His mighty acts, particularly their Exodus from Egypt (Psalm 81:6). Verse 8 then introduces God's lament over their disobedience and His earnest desire for them to listen, setting the stage for the conditional blessings and warnings that follow.

Key Themes

  • Divine Invitation and Exhortation: God directly addresses "my people" and "O Israel," demonstrating an intimate yet authoritative relationship. It's a passionate plea for their attention, not just to hear sounds, but to truly comprehend and act upon His words.
  • God's Testimony and Revelation: When God says, "I will testify unto thee," it means He will bear witness, give solemn instruction, and reveal truth. This testimony is not merely information but a divine declaration crucial for Israel's well-being and their understanding of His will.
  • The Condition of Obedience: The phrase "if thou wilt hearken unto me" highlights the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings. God's promises and the flourishing of their relationship are contingent upon their responsive obedience. This principle is foundational throughout the Old Testament, echoing the blessings promised for obedience in Deuteronomy 28.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "hear" and "hearken" is shama (ืฉึธืืžึทืข). This term carries a much deeper meaning than merely perceiving sound; it implies listening attentively, understanding, and, most importantly, obeying. Itโ€™s the same root found in the foundational declaration of Jewish faith, the Shema Yisrael ("Hear, O Israel") in Deuteronomy 6:4, which calls for complete devotion and obedience. The word "testify" comes from the Hebrew `ud (ืขื•ึผื“), meaning to bear witness, to admonish, or to warn. God is not just speaking; He is giving a solemn, weighty declaration for their benefit.

Practical Application

This verse remains a timeless call for all who claim to be God's people today. It underscores the vital importance of actively listening to God's voice, primarily through His Word (the Bible), prayer, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Our willingness to "hearken" โ€“ to truly hear, understand, and obey โ€“ determines the depth of our relationship with God and our experience of His blessings. It challenges us to move beyond mere intellectual assent to genuine, responsive obedience, much like Jesus taught about His sheep hearing His voice and following Him. In a world full of distractions, Psalm 81:8 reminds us to prioritize hearing and heeding the divine voice.

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Cross-References

  • Psalms 50:7 (6 votes)

    ยถ Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I [am] God, [even] thy God.

  • John 3:11 (5 votes)

    Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

  • Isaiah 1:19 (5 votes)

    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:

  • Exodus 15:26 (5 votes)

    And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

  • Psalms 81:13 (4 votes)

    Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, [and] Israel had walked in my ways!

  • 1 John 5:9 (4 votes)

    If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.

  • John 3:32 (4 votes)

    And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.