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
Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. ​
2
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us! ​
3
Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. ​

Lamenting God's Anger and People's Suffering

4
LORD God of Hosts, How long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? ​
5
You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure. ​
6
You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.
7
Turn us again, God of Hosts. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.

Israel as the Uprooted Vine

8
You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it. ​
9
You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land.
10
The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.
11
It sent out its branches to the sea, Its shoots to the River.
12
Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it? ​
13
The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it.

Renewed Appeal for Divine Intervention

14
Turn again, we beg you, God of Hosts. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,
15
the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.
16
It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke.
17
Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. ​
18
So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name.
19
Turn us again, LORD God of Hosts. Cause your face to 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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