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.

Invocation and Plea for Restoration

1
For the leader. Set to "Lilies."A testimony. A psalm of Asaf: Shepherd of Isra'el, listen! You who lead Yosef like a flock, you whose throne is on the k'ruvim, shine out! ​
2
Before Efrayim, Binyamin and M'nasheh, rouse your power; and come to save us. ​
3
God, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved. ​

Lamenting God's Anger and People's Suffering

4
ADONAI, God of armies, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers? ​
5
You have fed them tears as their bread and made them drink tears in abundance. ​
6
You make our neighbors fight over us, and our enemies mock us.
7
God of armies, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved.

Israel as the Uprooted Vine

8
You brought a vine out of Egypt, you expelled the nations and planted it, ​
9
you cleared a space for it; then it took root firmly and filled the land.
10
The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;
11
It put out branches as far as the sea and shoots to the [Euphrates] River.
12
Why did you break down [the vineyard's] wall, so that all passing by can pluck [its fruit]? ​
13
The boar from the forest tears it apart; wild creatures from the fields feed on it.

Renewed Appeal for Divine Intervention

14
God of armies, please come back! Look from heaven, see, and tend this vine!
15
Protect what your right hand planted, the son you made strong for yourself.
16
It is burned by fire, it is cut down; they perish at your frown of rebuke.
17
Help the man at your right hand, the son of man you made strong for yourself. ​
18
Then we won't turn away from you if you revive us, we will call on your name.
19
ADONAI, God of armies, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will 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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