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Psalms80

Psalm 80 is a fervent prayer for divine restoration, lamenting Israel's suffering and God's apparent anger. The psalmist appeals to God as the Shepherd of Israel, urging Him to "turn us again" and cause His face to shine for their salvation. The nation is depicted as a vine brought from Egypt, now broken down and devoured by enemies, prompting a plea for God to visit and revive His chosen people.
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Invocation and Plea for Restoration

1
Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth ​
2
before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us. ​
3
Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. ​

Lamenting God's Anger and People's Suffering

4
O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people? ​
5
You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears. ​
6
You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.
7
Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Israel as the Uprooted Vine

8
You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it. ​
9
You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.
10
The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.
11
It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River.
12
Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit? ​
13
The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it.

Renewed Appeal for Divine Intervention

14
Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine—
15
the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself.
16
Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
17
Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself. ​
18
Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.
19
Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 80

Verse 1

The title 'Shepherd of Israel' emphasizes God’s protective role, while 'thou that dwellest between the cherubims' refers to God's presence enthroned above the Ark of the Covenant, signifying immediate access to divine power.

Verse 2

Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh were the dominant tribes of the Northern Kingdom (Israel). The focus on these tribes suggests the psalm originated during a crisis concerning the North, perhaps after the Assyrian invasion.

Verse 3

This is the first occurrence of the central refrain (repeated in vv. 7 and 19). 'Cause thy face to shine' is a direct appeal for divine blessing and favor, echoing the priestly blessing in Numbers 6:25.

Verse 4

The title 'LORD God of hosts' (YHWH Sabaoth) emphasizes God’s power as the commander of heavenly armies, contrasted sharply with the nation's current weakness and suffering.

Verse 5

To be fed with 'the bread of tears' is a hyperbolic expression signifying continuous, overwhelming sorrow and humiliation caused by national defeat and God's apparent withdrawal.

Verse 8

The metaphor of Israel as a vine brought out of Egypt is common in prophetic literature (e.g., Isaiah 5). It highlights God's historical care in planting and cultivating the nation in the Promised Land.

Verse 12

The 'hedges' represent God’s protective covenant and presence. Breaking them down signifies that God has withdrawn protection, allowing enemies and invaders to plunder the nation.

Verse 17

This phrase refers to a chosen individual, likely the current king or a divinely appointed leader, whom God will strengthen to restore the nation. The language ('son of man') is rich, foreshadowing the ultimate Messianic figure.

Verse 19

The final, intensified repetition of the refrain, using the fullest divine title ('LORD God of hosts'), serves as the ultimate expression of determined hope and trust in God’s power to fully restore Israel.

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