Psalm 81:13

Modern

If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,

Traditional

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways!

Literal

If only My people would listen to Me, Israel would walk in My ways!

Latin

Si populus meus audisset me, Israël si in viis meis ambulasset,

Hebrew

English

If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,

God wants to give his goodness to his children, but they must listen (Isaiah 1:18–19; 28:12; 48:18–19; see Deuteronomy 6:3).
God promises to defeat the enemies (Deuteronomy 9:3) of those who follow the paths of obedience and loyalty. He will also provide abundantly for his people (Isaiah 1:19).

The Lord helps Israel to understand that their failure was not because of his weakness.

This warning message invites Israel to worship only the Lord and to enjoy the fullness of his blessing.

Deuteronomy 5:29
If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.
Isaiah 48:18
If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
Deuteronomy 10:12–13
And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul,
Luke 19:41–42
As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling!
Deuteronomy 32:29
If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes