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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 81:8-16

God, by the psalmist, here speaks to Israel, and in them to us, on whom the ends of the world are come. I. He demands their diligent and serious attention to what he was about to say (Ps. 81:8): ?Hear, O my people! and who should hear me if my people will not? I have heard and answered thee; now wilt thou hear me? Hear what is said with the greatest solemnity and the most unquestionable certainty, for it is what I will testify unto thee. Do not only give me the hearing, but hearken unto me,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 81:11

But my people would not hearken to my voice ,.... Neither as exhorting them to the above duties, nor as promising the above favours; would neither hearken to the voice of the law, nor to the voice of the Gospel; but were like the deaf adder, which stops its ear to the voice of the charmer, charming never so wisely: and Israel would none of me ; would not attend to his word, acquiesce in his will, nor delight themselves in him, and in his worship and service; would have none of his... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:11

Israel would none of me - לי אבה לא lo abah li , They willed me not, they would not have me for their God. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:11

Verse 11 11.But my people hearkened not to my voice. God now complains, that the Israelites, whom he endeavored gently to allure to him, despised his friendly invitation; yea, that although he had for a long time continued to exhort them, they always shut their ears against his voice. It is not a rebellion of one day which he deplores: he complains, that from the very beginning they were always a stupid and hardened people, and that they continued to persevere in the same obstinacy. It is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:1-16

Psalms 81:1-5 appear to be the preface of a song of thanksgiving, intended for public recitation at one of the great public festivals—either the Passover or the Feast of Tabernacles. Psalms 81:6-16 are part of a psalm of complaint, wherein God expostulates with his people. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:6-16

The "discourse" is now given. It commences somewhat abruptly, and is, perhaps, itself a fragment, the beginning of which is lost. God reminds Israel of his past favours ( Psalms 81:6 , Psalms 81:7 ), exhorts them to faithfulness ( Psalms 81:8 , Psalms 81:9 ), promises them blessings ( Psalms 81:10 ), complains of their waywardness ( Psalms 81:11 , Psalms 81:12 ), and finally makes a last appeal to them to turn to him, and recover his protection, before it is too late ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11

But my people would not hearken to my voice (comp. Psalms 78:10 , Psalms 78:41 , Psalms 78:56 ; 2 Kings 17:14 ; 2 Chronicles 36:15 , 2 Chronicles 36:16 ). And Israel would none of me; literally, would not obey me (see the Prayer book Version). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11

The sin of self-will. Observe that the sin of which complaint is here made is not that Israel did not hearken, but that Israel would not hearken. God goes in behind the acts of disobedience, and is concerned with the spirit of wilfulness which found expression in the acts. The judgment of God upon them brings to view the special feature of their sin. "So I gave them up to the obduracy of their heart, that they should walk in their own counsels" ( Psalms 81:12 ). I. SELF - ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11-12

Given up. Note— I. THE CONDITION CONTEMPLATED . It meant: 1 . No longer held back from sin. "Their own hearts' lust" was to lead them now. 2 . No longer urged to goodness. 3 . The Spirit no longer striving with them. 4 . Divine chastisements abandoned. (Cf. Isaiah 1:5 .) See the history of Israel for proof of all this. And it is true still, when a soul is "given up" by God—when even his resources seem exhausted. II. ITS TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES , ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 81:11

But my people ... - See Psalms 78:10-11, Psalms 78:17-19. “And Israel would none of me.” Literally, “Did not will me;” that is, “did not incline to me; were not attached to me; were not disposed to worship me, and to find happiness in me.” Compare Isaiah 1:19; Job 39:9; Proverbs 1:25. They refused or rejected him. See Exodus 32:1; Deuteronomy 32:15, Deuteronomy 32:18. read more

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