Psalms 81:11

81:11 But my people did not obey me; ¹ 

Israel did not submit to me. ² 

Psalms 81:13

81:13 If only my people would obey me! ³ 

If only Israel would keep my commands! ⁴ 

[81:11]  ¹ tn Heb “did not listen to my voice.”

[81:11]  ² tn The Hebrew expression אָבָה לִי (’avah liy) means “submit to me” (see Deut 13:8).

[81:13]  ³ 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).

[81:13]  ⁴ tn Heb “[and if only] Israel would walk in my ways.”