Psalms 81:13

81:13 If only my people would obey me!

If only Israel would keep my commands!

Psalms 115:7

115:7 hands, but cannot touch,

feet, but cannot walk.

They cannot even clear their throats.


tn Heb “if only my people were listening to me.” The Hebrew particle לוּ (lu, “if not”) introduces a purely hypothetical or contrary to fact condition (see 2 Sam 18:12).

tn Heb “[and if only] Israel would walk in my ways.”

tn Heb “they cannot mutter in their throats.” Verse 5a refers to speaking, v. 7c to inarticulate sounds made in the throat (see M. Dahood, Psalms [AB], 3:140-41).