Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalms 80 is a heartfelt plea for God's restoration, a desperate cry from a people experiencing hardship and longing for divine favor. Attributed to Asaph, a prominent figure during King David's reign (1_Chronicles 16:5), this psalm, despite its association with Asaph, might reflect a style or tradition passed down through generations, as other psalms bearing his name describe events occurring centuries later (Psalm 74:1; 79:1). The inscription "shoshannim 'eduth," meaning "lilies of the testimony," could indicate a specific tune or musical setting for this poignant lament (Psalm 60:1). The psalm is a powerful reminder that even in times of difficulty, we can turn to God for help and restoration.
A Prayer for Restoration (Psalms 80:1-3)
The psalmist begins by calling upon God, acknowledging Him as the Shepherd of Israel, leading and caring for His people. He specifically mentions Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh (Joseph's sons, Genesis 48:3–6), and Benjamin (Joseph's brother, Exodus 1:1–5), representing the northern tribes of Israel. The phrase "enthroned between the cherubim" evokes the image of God's presence in the Holy of Holies, above the Ark of the Covenant, emphasizing His kingship and power. The plea is for God to "shine forth," revealing His glory and intervening in their situation. The repetition of the refrain, "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" (Psalms 80:3), underscores the urgency and depth of their desire for God's favor to return. To have God's face "shine" upon them is to experience His favor and blessing (Numbers 6:25), a stark contrast to their current state of grief.
Acknowledging God's Anger (Psalms 80:4-7)
The psalmist grapples with the reality of God's anger and the prolonged suffering it has brought upon them. He asks, "How long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" (Psalms 80:4). This verse reveals a deep sense of pain and confusion, as they feel their prayers are not being heard. They are fed with the "bread of tears" and given "tears to drink in full measure" (Psalms 80:5), highlighting the intensity of their sorrow. Furthermore, they have become a "laughingstock" to their neighbors (Psalms 80:6), experiencing shame and humiliation. The psalmist recognizes that God is responsible for their tears (Psalms 80:5) and for putting them at odds with their neighbors (Psalms 80:6). The repetition of the plea for restoration in verse 7 emphasizes their desperate need for God's intervention to end their despair.
The Vine of Israel (Psalms 80:8-13)
This section uses the powerful metaphor of a vine to depict Israel's history. God brought a vine (Israel) out of Egypt (Psalms 80:8), transplanting it into the Promised Land and driving out the nations that stood in its way (Psalms 80:9). The vine flourished, its branches spreading far and wide, symbolizing Israel's prosperity and influence (Psalms 80:10-11). However, now the protective wall has been broken down (Psalms 80:12), leaving the vine vulnerable to attack from "all who pass along the way" and being ravaged by "boars from the forest" and "beasts of the field" (Psalms 80:13). This imagery vividly portrays the nation's current state of vulnerability and oppression, possibly due to attacks by enemy nations or the influence of false teachers. God had removed their protection, so they were oppressed by enemies; they became like an untended vine whose fruit could be devoured by animals.
A Plea for God's Care and Deliverance (Psalms 80:14-19)
The psalmist implores God, the "God of hosts," to return and look with compassion upon His vine (Psalms 80:14). He asks God to protect what His "right hand has planted, the son whom you made strong for yourself" (Psalms 80:15). This could be a reference to the nation of Israel, or even a foreshadowing of the Messiah, the ultimate deliverer. Even though the vine had been cut down and burned as a result of the Lord’s discipline (Psalms 80:16), Asaph pleads with God to care for this vine of his, which was a reference to his people Israel (Psalms 80:14). The psalmist prays that God would rescue his people through the man at [his] right hand, the son of man (Psalms 80:17), a reference to the messianic deliverer. He expresses confidence that if God restores them, they will never turn away from Him again (Psalms 80:18). The psalm concludes with the familiar refrain, "Restore us, LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" (Psalms 80:19), reinforcing the central theme of the psalm and the hope for God's saving intervention.
Psalms 80 is a powerful reminder that even when we face difficult circumstances as a result of our sin, we can return to God quickly so that his favor can return quickly to us. In times of national crisis or personal struggle, this psalm offers hope and encouragement, reminding us to seek God's face and trust in His power to restore and deliver.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalms 80 is a heartfelt plea for God's restoration, a desperate cry from a people experiencing hardship and longing for divine favor. Attributed to Asaph, a prominent figure during King David's reign (1_Chronicles 16:5), this psalm, despite its association with Asaph, might reflect a style or tradition passed down through generations, as other psalms bearing his name describe events occurring centuries later (Psalm 74:1; 79:1). The inscription "shoshannim 'eduth," meaning "lilies of the testimony," could indicate a specific tune or musical setting for this poignant lament (Psalm 60:1). The psalm is a powerful reminder that even in times of difficulty, we can turn to God for help and restoration.
A Prayer for Restoration (Psalms 80:1-3)
The psalmist begins by calling upon God, acknowledging Him as the Shepherd of Israel, leading and caring for His people. He specifically mentions Joseph, Ephraim, Manasseh (Joseph's sons, Genesis 48:3–6), and Benjamin (Joseph's brother, Exodus 1:1–5), representing the northern tribes of Israel. The phrase "enthroned between the cherubim" evokes the image of God's presence in the Holy of Holies, above the Ark of the Covenant, emphasizing His kingship and power. The plea is for God to "shine forth," revealing His glory and intervening in their situation. The repetition of the refrain, "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" (Psalms 80:3), underscores the urgency and depth of their desire for God's favor to return. To have God's face "shine" upon them is to experience His favor and blessing (Numbers 6:25), a stark contrast to their current state of grief.
Acknowledging God's Anger (Psalms 80:4-7)
The psalmist grapples with the reality of God's anger and the prolonged suffering it has brought upon them. He asks, "How long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" (Psalms 80:4). This verse reveals a deep sense of pain and confusion, as they feel their prayers are not being heard. They are fed with the "bread of tears" and given "tears to drink in full measure" (Psalms 80:5), highlighting the intensity of their sorrow. Furthermore, they have become a "laughingstock" to their neighbors (Psalms 80:6), experiencing shame and humiliation. The psalmist recognizes that God is responsible for their tears (Psalms 80:5) and for putting them at odds with their neighbors (Psalms 80:6). The repetition of the plea for restoration in verse 7 emphasizes their desperate need for God's intervention to end their despair.
The Vine of Israel (Psalms 80:8-13)
This section uses the powerful metaphor of a vine to depict Israel's history. God brought a vine (Israel) out of Egypt (Psalms 80:8), transplanting it into the Promised Land and driving out the nations that stood in its way (Psalms 80:9). The vine flourished, its branches spreading far and wide, symbolizing Israel's prosperity and influence (Psalms 80:10-11). However, now the protective wall has been broken down (Psalms 80:12), leaving the vine vulnerable to attack from "all who pass along the way" and being ravaged by "boars from the forest" and "beasts of the field" (Psalms 80:13). This imagery vividly portrays the nation's current state of vulnerability and oppression, possibly due to attacks by enemy nations or the influence of false teachers. God had removed their protection, so they were oppressed by enemies; they became like an untended vine whose fruit could be devoured by animals.
A Plea for God's Care and Deliverance (Psalms 80:14-19)
The psalmist implores God, the "God of hosts," to return and look with compassion upon His vine (Psalms 80:14). He asks God to protect what His "right hand has planted, the son whom you made strong for yourself" (Psalms 80:15). This could be a reference to the nation of Israel, or even a foreshadowing of the Messiah, the ultimate deliverer. Even though the vine had been cut down and burned as a result of the Lord’s discipline (Psalms 80:16), Asaph pleads with God to care for this vine of his, which was a reference to his people Israel (Psalms 80:14). The psalmist prays that God would rescue his people through the man at [his] right hand, the son of man (Psalms 80:17), a reference to the messianic deliverer. He expresses confidence that if God restores them, they will never turn away from Him again (Psalms 80:18). The psalm concludes with the familiar refrain, "Restore us, LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!" (Psalms 80:19), reinforcing the central theme of the psalm and the hope for God's saving intervention.
Psalms 80 is a powerful reminder that even when we face difficult circumstances as a result of our sin, we can return to God quickly so that his favor can return quickly to us. In times of national crisis or personal struggle, this psalm offers hope and encouragement, reminding us to seek God's face and trust in His power to restore and deliver.