Psalms 81:8
Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me;
Original Language Analysis
תִּֽשְׁמַֽע
Hear
H8085
תִּֽשְׁמַֽע
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
1 of 8
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
עַ֭מִּי
O my people
H5971
עַ֭מִּי
O my people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 8
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְאָעִ֣ידָה
and I will testify
H5749
וְאָעִ֣ידָה
and I will testify
Strong's:
H5749
Word #:
3 of 8
to duplicate or repeat; by implication, to protest, testify (as by reiteration); intensively, to encompass, restore (as a sort of reduplication)
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
unto thee O Israel
H3478
יִ֝שְׂרָאֵ֗ל
unto thee O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 8
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
6 of 8
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
Cross References
Psalms 50:7Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even thy God.Isaiah 1:19If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:Exodus 15:26And 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.John 3:11Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.1 John 5:9If 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.Acts 20:21Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.Psalms 81:13Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!Deuteronomy 5:27Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it.Deuteronomy 32:46And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law.
Historical Context
The covenant lawsuit (rib) pattern appears throughout prophets (Micah 6:1-8, Hosea 4:1-3). God indicts Israel for covenant breaking while offering restoration if they return. The Shema commanded Israel to "hear" and obey (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). Jesus repeatedly said, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear" (Matthew 11:15, 13:9). Hearing requires responsive obedience, not mere auditory reception.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the difference between hearing God's word and truly hearkening to it with responsive obedience?
- How does God's tender appeal ("O my people") despite Israel's failure reveal His covenant love?
- In what ways does the Holy Spirit enable Christians to "hear" and obey what Scripture commands?
Analysis & Commentary
God speaks to Israel: "Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me" (Hebrew sh-ma ammi v-a-idah b-kha Yisra-el im-tish-ma li). "Hear" (Hebrew shema) echoes Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema. "I will testify" (Hebrew ud) indicates covenant lawsuit—God bears witness. "If thou wilt hearken" makes blessing conditional on obedience. The verse is tender appeal: God desires relationship, pleading with His people to listen. Covenant love motivates divine testimony.