Psalm 81:8-11

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 81:8

Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee ,.... Of himself, his being, and perfections; what he was unto them, had done for them, and would do for them, as in the following verses: or "testify in thee" F4 אעידה בך "testificabor in te", Gejerus. , bear witness to their spirits, that they were his people, and he was their God; this is a witness which the people of God have in themselves; it is the inward testimony of the Spirit; besides which, there is the outward testimony of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 81:9

There shall no strange god be in thee ,.... Or in the midst of thee, owned and worshipped as God; or in thine heart, for whatever engrosses the affection, or a man puts his trust and confidence in, that he makes his god, and is a strange one: thus, if any friend or relation, father or mother, wife or children, are loved more than God, they are set up as such in his place; thus the epicure, that seeks the gratification of his carnal lusts, makes his belly his god; and the covetous man his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 81:10

I am the Lord thy God ,.... The true Jehovah, the Being of beings, in whom all live and move and have their beings, the covenant God of his people; and is a reason why they should hear him, and worship him, and no other: which brought thee out of the land of Egypt ; this, with what goes before, is the preface to the ten commands, the first and principal of which is urged in the preceding verse; and this is another reason why the Lord God should be had and worshipped, and not a strange... 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 81:8

Hear, O my people - These are nearly the same words with those spoken at the giving of the law, Exodus 20:2 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:10

Open thy mouth wide - Let thy desires be ever so extensive, I will gratify them if thou wilt be faithful to me. Thou shalt lack no manner of thing that is good. 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 81:8

Verse 8 8Hear, O my people! The more effectually to touch the hearts of the people, God is here invested with the character of a teacher, and introduced as speaking familiarly in the midst of the congregation; and this is done for the purpose of instructing them, that all assemblies are unprofitable and trifling in which the voice of God stirring up men to faith and true godliness is not uttered. But let us proceed to the consideration of the words. This preface was intended to teach in a few... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 81:9

Verse 9 9Let there be no strange god (414) in thee. Here there is propounded the leading article of the covenant, and almost the whole sum of it, which is, that God alone must have the pre-eminence. Some may prefer this explanation: O Israel! if thou wilt hearken to me, there is nothing which I more strictly require or demand from thee than that thou shouldst be contented with me alone, and that thou shouldst not seek after strange gods: and of this opinion I am far from disapproving. God by... read more

Group of Brands