Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 81:13-14

"Oh that my people would hearken unto me, That Israel would walk in my ways! I would soon subdue their enemies, And turn my hand against their adversaries." — Psalms 81:13-14 (ASV)

Hearken ... subdue. —The verbs should be taken in a future sense, “Oh that my people would hearken ... I should soon subdue,” etc. The poet changes from reminiscences of the past to the needs of the present.