Psalms 80:10

KJV

The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof [were like] the goodly cedars.

KJV (with Strong's)

The hills {H2022} were covered {H3680}{H8795)} with the shadow {H6738} of it, and the boughs {H6057} thereof were like the goodly {H410} cedars {H730}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;

Berean Standard Bible

The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.

American Standard Version

The mountains were covered with the shadow of it, And the boughs thereof were like cedars of God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalm 80:10, nestled within a fervent communal lament by Asaph, vividly recalls the past splendor and expansive influence of God's chosen people, Israel. Through the potent metaphor of a flourishing vine, the verse describes a period when the nation thrived under divine favor, its protective shadow extending widely, and its strength and majesty likened to the most magnificent cedars, setting a poignant contrast with its present state of desolation and serving as a basis for the psalmist's plea for restoration.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 is a deeply emotional communal lament, one of the "Asaphite" psalms, characterized by a repeated, urgent plea for God to "restore us" (verses 3, 7, 19). The psalm opens with an invocation to the "Shepherd of Israel" and quickly transitions into the central metaphor of Israel as a vine. God is depicted as the one who brought this vine out of Egypt and planted it in Canaan, clearing the way for its growth as described in [Psalm 80:8](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8 - God's Vine from Egypt"). Verses 9-11 detail the vine's glorious past—its extensive growth and flourishing—before the psalmist laments its current ravaged state (verses 12-13) and desperately pleads for God's intervention and renewed favor (verses 14-19). Verse 10 specifically describes the zenith of this past prosperity, setting a poignant contrast with the nation's present distress and intensifying the desperation of the subsequent plea.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of a vine is deeply rooted in ancient Israelite culture, where viticulture was a primary agricultural pursuit and a pervasive symbol of prosperity, blessing, and national identity. The "Cedars of Lebanon" were renowned throughout the ancient Near East for their immense size, durability, fragrant wood, and majestic appearance, frequently used in the construction of temples and palaces, including Solomon's Temple, as described in [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Hiram's Cedars for Solomon's Temple"). Their use here signifies supreme strength, beauty, and enduring quality. The psalm likely reflects a period of national crisis, possibly the Assyrian invasion and destruction of the Northern Kingdom (Israel/Ephraim), or a later period of distress for Judah, where the people felt abandoned by God and longed for the restoration of their former glory and security under His protection. The lament expresses a yearning for the covenant blessings that were once so evident.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 80 and the broader biblical narrative. It highlights the theme of **Divine Blessing and Prosperity**, showcasing God's capacity to cause His people to flourish when they are in covenant faithfulness. The expansive "shadow" and "goodly cedars" underscore the theme of **Majesty, Strength, and Influence**, depicting Israel as a powerful and respected nation under God's care, a stark reminder of what has been lost. Furthermore, the verse implicitly connects to the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, as Israel's flourishing was contingent upon its obedience to God's covenant. The subsequent lament in the psalm then introduces the theme of **God's Apparent Abandonment and the Need for Restoration**, making the past glory described in [Psalm 80:10](/psalms/80-10 "Psalm 80:10 - The Flourishing Vine") even more poignant. This vine imagery is a recurring motif throughout the Old Testament, also seen in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard") where Israel is depicted as a vineyard that failed to produce good fruit, leading to judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Shadow (Hebrew, _tsêl'_):** From H6738, this word refers to literal shade, but in this context, it carries rich metaphorical weight. It denotes protection, shelter, and widespread influence. For the vine's shadow to cover the hills suggests an expansive reach, implying that Israel's presence, influence, and perhaps even its protective power, extended over a vast territory, providing shelter and security to those within its bounds. It speaks to a time of national security and dominance, a defense (as per Strong's definition).
* **Goodly (Hebrew, _ʼêl'_):** From H410, this word literally means "strength" or "mighty," and is often used for God (El). Here, in the phrase "goodly cedars" (`אֲרְזֵי אֵל`, _'arze el'_), `ʼêl` functions as an intensifier, a superlative. It signifies supreme quality, majesty, and extraordinary size, rather than literal divine ownership. Thus, "goodly" refers to the most magnificent, imposing, and robust examples of cedars.
* **Cedars (Hebrew, _ʼerez'_):** From H730, this refers to a cedar tree, specifically the majestic Cedars of Lebanon, known for their tenacity of roots, immense size, and durability. When combined with `ʼêl` (goodly/mighty), "goodly cedars" refers to the unparalleled strength, grandeur, and enduring nature of the vine's branches, symbolizing Israel's unparalleled strength, stability, and majestic stature during its period of divine favor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The hills were covered with the shadow of it":** This clause vividly portrays the vast and expansive growth of the vine (Israel). The "shadow" here symbolizes the protective presence, widespread influence, and extensive territorial reach of the nation. It suggests a time when Israel's dominion and prosperity were so great that its "branches" extended far and wide, casting a protective or dominant presence over the surrounding landscape, including the elevated and often strategic "hills." This imagery speaks to a period of flourishing and security under God's blessing.
* **"and the boughs thereof [were like] the goodly cedars":** This second clause describes the quality and character of the vine's growth. The "boughs" (branches) are likened to "goodly cedars," which, as discussed, refers to the majestic Cedars of Lebanon. The comparison highlights the extraordinary strength, resilience, and grandeur of Israel's people and institutions during its prime. It conveys a sense of enduring power, beauty, and stability, indicating that the nation was not only extensive in reach but also robust and magnificent in its very essence, reflecting God's abundant provision and favor.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 80:10 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The overarching device is **Metaphor**, where the nation of Israel is consistently represented as a vine that God brought out of Egypt. This metaphor allows the psalmist to describe Israel's growth, decline, and potential restoration in vivid, agricultural terms. Within this metaphor, the phrase "The hills were covered with the shadow of it" utilizes **Hyperbole** to emphasize the immense, almost unbelievable, extent of the vine's growth and Israel's influence. While a literal vine's shadow might cover a small area, covering "hills" suggests an exaggerated, yet powerful, image of widespread dominion and protection. Furthermore, the clause "and the boughs thereof [were like] the goodly cedars" employs a **Simile** (explicitly marked by "were like" in KJV, though the Hebrew implies a strong comparison) to liken the vine's branches to the renowned Cedars of Lebanon. This simile draws on the established **Symbolism** of cedars as representations of strength, majesty, and enduring quality, thereby underscoring the robust and magnificent nature of Israel in its prime.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 80:10 encapsulates a profound theological truth about God's covenant relationship with Israel: His desire for His people to flourish under His care. The imagery of the vine's expansive growth and its boughs resembling "goodly cedars" speaks to the abundant blessings and protective presence God bestowed upon Israel when they walked in obedience. This flourishing was not merely material but also spiritual, signifying a nation deeply rooted in God's favor, reflecting His glory and influence to the surrounding world. The lament that follows this verse in Psalm 80 underscores the tragic consequences of disobedience and the pain of perceived divine abandonment, revealing that such prosperity is conditional upon faithfulness. It serves as a powerful reminder that while God's initial planting is gracious, the sustained flourishing of His people requires continued reliance on Him, and that even in times of desolation, the memory of past blessings fuels the hope for future restoration.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - A Noble Vine Degenerated")
* [Ezekiel 17:5-6](/ezekiel/17-5-6 "Ezekiel 17:5-6 - The Great Eagle and the Vine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 80:10 invites us to reflect on the nature of God's blessing and the potential for flourishing in our own lives and in the church. Just as ancient Israel experienced periods of immense growth and influence under God's hand, so too can individual believers and Christian communities experience profound spiritual vitality and impact when deeply rooted in God's truth and grace. This verse reminds us that true strength and majesty come from divine favor, not human effort alone. It challenges us to consider what it means to be a "goodly cedar"—to possess spiritual resilience, to stand firm in faith, and to extend a "shadow" of God's presence and blessing to those around us. When we face periods of spiritual barrenness or feel like the "vine" has been ravaged, remembering God's past faithfulness and His capacity to restore, as depicted in this psalm, becomes a source of hope and a call to fervent prayer for renewal and revival, trusting that His desire is for His people to flourish.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do we identify and celebrate the "shadow" of God's blessing and the "goodly cedars" of spiritual strength in our personal lives or in our church community today?**
* **What factors might contribute to the "withering" of our spiritual vitality, and how can we actively seek God's restorative power to flourish once more?**
* **In what ways can we, as believers, embody the strength and enduring nature symbolized by the "goodly cedars" in our witness to the world, reflecting God's glory?**

### FAQ
**Why is Israel so frequently described as a "vine" or "vineyard" in the Old Testament?**

Answer: The imagery of Israel as a vine or vineyard is a pervasive and powerful metaphor in the Old Testament because it speaks to several key aspects of God's relationship with His people. Firstly, it highlights God's role as the divine **planter and vinedresser**, who carefully brought Israel out of Egypt and established them in the promised land, as seen in [Psalm 80:8](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8 - God's Vine from Egypt"). Secondly, it emphasizes Israel's **dependence** on God for its sustenance, growth, and fruitfulness, much like a vine depends on its cultivator and the soil. Thirdly, it underscores the expectation of **fruitfulness**—that Israel, as God's chosen people, was meant to produce good fruit, representing righteousness, justice, and obedience to His covenant, as explicitly stated in [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard of the Lord"). Finally, the metaphor also allows for the poignant portrayal of Israel's **failure** to produce good fruit, leading to judgment and desolation, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard") and [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - A Noble Vine Degenerated").

**What is the specific significance of "goodly cedars" in this verse?**

Answer: The "goodly cedars" (Hebrew: `אֲרְזֵי אֵל`, _'arze el_) refer to the majestic Cedars of Lebanon, which were renowned in the ancient world for their immense size, height, strength, durability, and fragrant wood. They were often used in the construction of grand and sacred structures, such as Solomon's Temple, as described in [1 Kings 5:6](/1_kings/5-6 "1 Kings 5:6 - Hiram's Cedars for Solomon's Temple"). In [Psalm 80:10](/psalms/80-10 "Psalm 80:10 - The Flourishing Vine"), the comparison of Israel's "boughs" to these cedars is highly significant. The term `אֵל` (_el_), meaning "God," acts as an intensifier, signifying "cedars of God" or "mighty cedars," emphasizing their supreme quality and grandeur. Thus, the imagery conveys that Israel, in its prime under God's favor, possessed unparalleled strength, majesty, stability, and enduring beauty. It symbolizes a nation that was not only widespread in influence but also deeply rooted, robust, and magnificent in its very being, reflecting the extraordinary blessing and protection of God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 80:10, with its depiction of Israel as a flourishing vine whose boughs were like "goodly cedars," finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in Jesus, the true Vine, and in His body, the Church. While the Old Testament vine symbolizes national Israel and its conditional prosperity, Jesus radically redefines this metaphor in [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus the True Vine"), declaring, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser." This shifts the focus from an ethnic nation to a spiritual community, where true life and fruitfulness are found exclusively in union with Christ. The "shadow" that once covered the hills, symbolizing Israel's protective reach and influence, now finds its perfect expression in the all-encompassing grace and shelter offered by Christ to all who abide in Him, as He promises in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine"). The "goodly cedars," representing strength, majesty, and endurance, foreshadow the spiritual strength and enduring glory of believers who are built upon Christ, the chief cornerstone, becoming a holy temple in the Lord, as described in [Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone"). The lament for the withered vine in Psalm 80 points to humanity's spiritual barrenness apart from God, which is fully remedied in Christ, who restores and empowers His people to bear abundant fruit for God's glory, fulfilling the divine purpose for which the original vine was planted, as encouraged in [Colossians 1:10](/colossians/1-10 "Colossians 1:10 - Bearing Fruit in Every Good Work").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 104:16

The trees of the LORD are full [of sap]; the cedars of Lebanon, which he hath planted;