Psalms 81:11
But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me.
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֣ע
would not hearken
H8085
שָׁמַ֣ע
would not hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 8
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עַמִּ֣י
But my people
H5971
עַמִּ֣י
But my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
3 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
and Israel
H3478
וְ֝יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל
and Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 8
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לֹא
H3808
לֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
6 of 8
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:18Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.Proverbs 1:30They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.Exodus 32:1And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.Deuteronomy 32:15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.Hebrews 10:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?Zechariah 7:11But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.
Historical Context
Israel's wilderness generation epitomized stubborn rebellion: refusing to enter Canaan (Numbers 14), complaining against manna (Numbers 11), worshiping the golden calf (Exodus 32), and testing God at Meribah (Exodus 17). Despite seeing miracles, that generation died in the desert under judgment. Their children's history repeated the pattern, culminating in exile.
Questions for Reflection
- In what areas of life are you 'not hearkening' to God's clear voice, choosing self-will over His revealed will?
- How does the phrase 'my people would not' expose that the problem is never God's unwillingness but ours?
- What patterns of family or church 'wilderness wandering' result from generational refusal to obey God's voice?
Analysis & Commentary
But my people would not hearken to my voice (וְלֹא־שָׁמַע עַמִּי לְקוֹלִי)—The emphatic my people intensifies the tragedy: not strangers but covenant children rejected their Father. Shama (hear, obey) appears throughout Deuteronomy as covenant loyalty's essential element. And Israel would none of me (lo avah li)—they 'desired not' or 'were not willing' toward their Redeemer.
This divine lament echoes throughout Scripture: Moses's warnings (Deuteronomy 32), the prophets' indictments (Isaiah 1:2-4, Jeremiah 7:23-26), and Christ's weeping over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44). The greatest tragedy isn't God's inability to save but human unwillingness to be saved. As Jesus said, 'You will not come to me that you might have life' (John 5:40).