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Psalm 81:13

Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!

11But my people didn’t listen to my voice. Israel desired none of me.
12So I let them go after the stubbornness of their hearts, that they might walk in their own counsels.
13Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
14I would soon subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their adversaries.
15The haters of the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.
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← Psalm 81:12Psalm 81:14 →
Notice

“Oh that” carries God's longing for his people to listen, while “walk in my ways” connects that listening with the choices of a whole life.

Questions to write on. Each one opens a new entry with this verse already attached.

What changes in your hearing of this appeal when God calls Israel “my people”?

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Where could listening to God take the shape of a concrete choice this week?

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Connect

Where else Scripture says this

11 passages readers most often link with this verse, and the thread each one shares with it.

This verse's connections, by chapterThe Bible's strongest chapter linksHover or tap a book to trace it
Hebrews 3:7Therefore, even as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you will hear his voice,Both passages direct attention to hearing God's voice, with Hebrews emphasizing the present moment through the word “Today”.
Ephesians 2:10For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them.Both describe conduct as walking: the psalm names God's ways, and Ephesians names the good works God prepared.
Deuteronomy 5:29Oh that there were such a 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 …Both express God's longing for his people to respond to him through obedience.
Isaiah 48:18Oh that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.Both voice God's longing that his people listen to him; Isaiah names the peace that would have followed.
Deuteronomy 10:12–13Now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, and to serve the LORD your God …Both address Israel and describe obedience as walking in God's ways.
Deuteronomy 32:29Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!Both express a longing for the people to respond with discernment, through listening in the psalm and understanding in Deuteronomy.
Luke 19:41–42When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it,The connection is one of sorrow: God's longing sounds in the psalm, while Luke records Jesus weeping over the city.
Proverbs 1:33But whoever listens to me will dwell securely, and will be at ease, without fear of harm.”Listening is central to both passages: God desires Israel's attention, and Proverbs describes the security of those who heed wisdom.
Matthew 23:37“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen …Both express a desire met by refusal: God longs for Israel to listen, and Jesus longs to gather Jerusalem's children.
Psalm 128:1A Song of Ascents. Blessed is everyone who fears the LORD, who walks in his ways.Both use walking in God's ways to describe a life shaped by obedience to him.
Micah 6:3My people, what have I done to you? How have I burdened you? Answer me!God addresses Israel as “my people” in both passages, seeking a response from those who belong to him.
Where this verse fits

Feeling distant from God. a big decision. sermon or Bible study notes.

What the Bible says about doubt →
One step

Something small to carry out of this verse

Reread God's appeal and write one way to heed it

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Encouragement

Israel's refusal in the surrounding verses is real, and God still addresses them as his people. His expressed desire is that they hear his voice and walk in his ways.

Now put it in your words.

Start an entry on Psalm 81:13. Write what it stirs. Psalmlog sets your words beside Scripture and gives you one next step. Your first entry is free, no account needed.

Keep goingPsalm 81 · the whole chapter with its connection mapPsalms · every chapterBuild a reading plan through Psalms

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).