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
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. ​
2
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. ​
3
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. ​

Lamenting God's Anger and People's Suffering

4
O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? ​
5
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. ​
6
Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
7
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Israel as the Uprooted Vine

8
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. ​
9
Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
10
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
11
She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
12
Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? ​
13
The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.

Renewed Appeal for Divine Intervention

14
Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
15
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
16
It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17
Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. ​
18
So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19
Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall 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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