Psalms 80:1

¶ 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.

To the chief Musician {H5329}{H8764)} upon Shoshannimeduth {H7802}, A Psalm {H4210} of Asaph {H623}. Give ear {H238}{H8685)}, O Shepherd {H7462}{H8802)} of Israel {H3478}, thou that leadest {H5090}{H8802)} Joseph {H3130} like a flock {H6629}; thou that dwellest {H3427}{H8802)} between the cherubims {H3742}, shine forth {H3313}{H8685)}.

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!

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest above the cherubim, shine forth.

This verse is the opening plea of Psalm 80, a communal lament attributed to Asaph. It is a fervent prayer for God's restoration and help during a time of national distress, likely affecting the northern kingdom of Israel (referred to here as Joseph).

Context

Psalm 80 is a prayer for restoration. It comes from a period when Israel, particularly the tribes descended from Joseph (Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin), faced significant hardship and divine displeasure. The psalm repeatedly cries out, "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." The introductory phrase "To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth" indicates it was set to a specific tune or style, possibly related to "lilies of testimony," suggesting a solemn and perhaps mournful occasion.

Key Themes

  • God as Shepherd: The psalm opens by addressing God as the ultimate caregiver and guide for His people, Israel, comparing His leadership to a shepherd guiding a flock.
  • God's Presence: It acknowledges God's dwelling place, specifically "between the cherubims," referring to His presence above the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies.
  • Prayer for Intervention: The core of the verse is a desperate cry for God to "give ear" and "shine forth," asking Him to pay attention to their plight and reveal His power and favor.
  • National Distress: While not explicit in this verse alone, the address to "Israel" and mention of "Joseph" highlights the focus on the nation's suffering and need for divine intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The title "Shepherd of Israel" (ro'eh yisra'el) is a tender and powerful metaphor emphasizing God's protective care and guidance, reminiscent of a shepherd leading his sheep. The phrase "thou that dwellest between the cherubims" (yosheb hakkerubim) specifically points to God's enthronement above the mercy seat on the Ark of the Covenant, signifying His holy presence among His people. The plea "shine forth" (hophi'a) is a request for God to manifest His presence and power, to reveal His saving face.

Cross-References and Connections

The imagery of God as a shepherd is prominent throughout Scripture, seen in passages like Psalm 23:1 or the New Testament portrayal of Jesus as the good shepherd (John 10:11). God's leading of Israel like a flock is seen in their journey through the wilderness (Exodus 13:21). The reference to dwelling "between the cherubims" directly relates to the instructions for the Ark of the Covenant and the mercy seat in Exodus 25:22, where God promised to meet with Moses. The call for God to "shine forth" is a request for His glory or saving power to be revealed, echoing desires seen in Psalm 50:2.

Practical Application

For believers today, Psalm 80:1 offers a model for prayer during times of trouble. We can approach God with confidence, recognizing Him as our faithful Shepherd who cares for us. We can trust in His presence, knowing that He is with us, though not confined to an earthly temple. We can humbly and earnestly ask Him to "give ear" to our prayers and "shine forth" in our circumstances, revealing His power, guidance, and salvation in our lives and in the world around us. It reminds us that our hope for restoration and help comes directly from God's active involvement.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 50:2

    Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.

  • Revelation 21:23

    And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb [is] the light thereof.

  • Psalms 77:20

    Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

  • Psalms 99:1

    ¶ The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth [between] the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

  • 1 Peter 2:25

    For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

  • Ezekiel 34:23

    And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, [even] my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

  • 2 Samuel 6:2

    And David arose, and went with all the people that [were] with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of God, whose name is called by the name of the LORD of hosts that dwelleth [between] the cherubims.

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