psalm-81:7-17,-luke-15:11-32

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11

The sin of self-will. Observe that the sin of which complaint is here made is not that Israel did not hearken, but that Israel would not hearken. God goes in behind the acts of disobedience, and is concerned with the spirit of wilfulness which found expression in the acts. The judgment of God upon them brings to view the special feature of their sin. "So I gave them up to the obduracy of their heart, that they should walk in their own counsels" ( Psalms 81:12 ). I. SELF - ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11-12

Given up. Note— I. THE CONDITION CONTEMPLATED . It meant: 1 . No longer held back from sin. "Their own hearts' lust" was to lead them now. 2 . No longer urged to goodness. 3 . The Spirit no longer striving with them. 4 . Divine chastisements abandoned. (Cf. Isaiah 1:5 .) See the history of Israel for proof of all this. And it is true still, when a soul is "given up" by God—when even his resources seem exhausted. II. ITS TERRIBLE CONSEQUENCES , ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:12

So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust. God's Spirit will not always strive with men ( Genesis 6:3 ). After a time, if they persist in evil courses and disobedience to his commands, he "gives them up," withdraws from them, leaves them to themselves, to the "lust," or rather "stubbornness" of their own hearts—to their own perverse wills and imaginations. And they walked in their own counsels (comp. Jeremiah 7:24 ). This result is inevitable. If God no longer guides their thoughts... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:12

Our own way our worst woe. Our text a declaration of God's dealing with rebellious men. We note concerning it that— I. IT TELLS OF A PUNISHMENT WHICH SEEMS NO PUNISHMENT AT ALL . Those who rebelled so grievously against God were allowed to do just as they liked, to have their own way as they pleased. 1 . Now, our text does tell of punishment. It is not a statement of indifference On the part of God, or of failure, but of his holy displeasure. 2 . And it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

Oh that my people had hearkened unto me! rather, would hearken unto me !. And Israel had walked in my ways! rather would walk! read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

God's lamentation over man's lost opportunities. "Oh that my people," etc.! Among the saddest words ever spoken are those we utter concerning what might have been. Lost opportunities; neglected duties; mischance that was within a hairbreadth of good fortune; misunderstandings that a little candour or patience would have prevented; voices we do not listen to, but whose echoes haunt us; the joy, wealth, success, love, happiness, within our grasp, if we had not let them slip;—what a weight... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

The sorrow of God. Occasioned by this—he could not do for his people what he would. He would have delivered them from their foes, and fed them with the finest of the wheat. They, by their conduct, compelled him to withhold his hand, and even to smite instead of bestow. Compare the sorrow of Christ when looking from Olivet upon Jerusalem. He mourns over what he would have done for its people; but they "would not." I. GOD 'S JOY IN THE BLESSING OF HIS PEOPLE . Their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13-16

What might have been. These verses tell what Israel missed, but might have had. And they are written for our learning. Note— I. WHAT GOD WAS PREPARED TO DO FOR THEM . 1 . Subdue their enemies . 2 . Discomfit their adversaries . 3 . Conversions should have been numerous . 4 . Eternal life should have been theirs . 5 . And fulness of joy . And in reference to men now: God waits to be gracious and to do all for them that corresponds to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:14

I should soon have subdued ( rather, I should won subdue ) their enemies. Israel is still surrounded by enemies, anxious for his destruction. God could subdue them and sweep them away in a moment, if he pleased; and would do so, if Israel would repent and return to him. The appeal is to the living Israel—the Israel of the psalmist's time, which is given one more chance of triumph over its enemies. And turned my hand against their adversaries. Logically, the two clauses should have... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:15

The haters of the Lord. Israel's enemies are always spoken of as God's enemies also (comp. Psalms 3:2 , Psalms 3:7 ; Psalms 9:3 ; Psalms 68:1 ; Psalms 79:6 , Psalms 79:7 , etc.). They "hate" Jehovah ( Psalms 21:8 ; Psalms 83:2 ), not merely as Israel's Protecter, but as the Source of all good, whereas they delight in evil. Should have submitted themselves unto him; rather, should submit themselves, or " should yield feigned obedience" . But their time ( i.e. ... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:11-12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:12

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:13-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:14

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 81:15

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