The essence of Psalm 81:8 is God's earnest plea for His chosen people to heed His voice and live under His loving correction.
God passionately implores His covenant people in Psalm 81 with the words, “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!” (v.8). This verse depicts the Lord’s deep desire for His people to pay attention to His voice and trust His guidance. Within the broader context of this psalm attributed to Asaph, the Lord is addressing Israel—whose national identity began after their exodus from Egypt around 1446 BC—and urging them not to repeat the stubbornness of previous generations. The invitation to “hear” demonstrates that God’s correction is an expression of His love and commitment, much like a loving shepherd calling out to his wandering sheep (John 10:27).
In “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!” (v.8), there is a plea for receptiveness to God’s warnings and instruction. By calling them “My people,” the Lord reminds Israel of their unique status as His own treasured nation, descended from Abraham’s lineage (circa 2100 BC) and formally constituted as God’s chosen after the Exodus. The phrase “if you would listen to Me!” highlights that God’s blessing and guidance hinge on their willingness to heed His commands, reflecting the covenant established at Sinai when Israel promised to follow the Lord’s ways. It also anticipates the repeated theme in Scripture: genuine worshipers recognize and submit to the voice of God (Jeremiah 7:23).
God’s invitation here brings out the tender yet firm nature of His sovereignty and love. The term “admonish” indicates a warning designed to correct and protect, illustrating how God’s boundaries shield His people from harmful choices. In the same way, the gracious offer to listen points to the promise of abiding fellowship with the Lord. When Israel tunes its heart to God’s counsel and responds in faithful obedience, the nation thrives spiritually and experiences security under His care. Through Jesus Christ, believers today are also called to listen to God’s voice and remain steadfast in His truth (Hebrews 3:7-8).
Set to dark mode
Psalms 81:8 meaning
God passionately implores His covenant people in Psalm 81 with the words, “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!” (v.8). This verse depicts the Lord’s deep desire for His people to pay attention to His voice and trust His guidance. Within the broader context of this psalm attributed to Asaph, the Lord is addressing Israel—whose national identity began after their exodus from Egypt around 1446 BC—and urging them not to repeat the stubbornness of previous generations. The invitation to “hear” demonstrates that God’s correction is an expression of His love and commitment, much like a loving shepherd calling out to his wandering sheep (John 10:27).
In “Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you; O Israel, if you would listen to Me!” (v.8), there is a plea for receptiveness to God’s warnings and instruction. By calling them “My people,” the Lord reminds Israel of their unique status as His own treasured nation, descended from Abraham’s lineage (circa 2100 BC) and formally constituted as God’s chosen after the Exodus. The phrase “if you would listen to Me!” highlights that God’s blessing and guidance hinge on their willingness to heed His commands, reflecting the covenant established at Sinai when Israel promised to follow the Lord’s ways. It also anticipates the repeated theme in Scripture: genuine worshipers recognize and submit to the voice of God (Jeremiah 7:23).
God’s invitation here brings out the tender yet firm nature of His sovereignty and love. The term “admonish” indicates a warning designed to correct and protect, illustrating how God’s boundaries shield His people from harmful choices. In the same way, the gracious offer to listen points to the promise of abiding fellowship with the Lord. When Israel tunes its heart to God’s counsel and responds in faithful obedience, the nation thrives spiritually and experiences security under His care. Through Jesus Christ, believers today are also called to listen to God’s voice and remain steadfast in His truth (Hebrews 3:7-8).