Hear, O my people,.... This is an address to the people of the Jews, whom God had chosen to be his people above all others, and who professed themselves to be his people; but now a "loammi", Hos 1:9, was about to be written upon them, being a people uncircumcised in heart and ears, refusing to hear the great Prophet of the church, him that spake from heaven; and I will speak: by way of accusation and charge, and in judgment against them for their sins and transgressions; O Israel, and I will testify against thee; or "to thee" (t); to thy face produce witnesses, and bring sufficient evidence to prove the things laid to thy charge, I am God, even thy God; which is an aggravation of their sin against him, and is the reason why they should hearken to him; see Psa 81:10. (t) "tibi", V. L. Vatablus; so Ainsworth.