TRV
Translation
King James Version
Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
Complete Jewish Bible
Why did you break down [the vineyard's] wall, so that all passing by can pluck [its fruit]?
Berean Standard Bible
Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit?
American Standard Version
Why hast thou broken down its walls, So that all they that pass by the way do pluck it?
World English Bible Messianic
Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it?
Geneva Bible (1599)
Why hast thou then broken downe her hedges, so that all they, which passe by the way, haue plucked her?
Young's Literal Translation
Why hast Thou broken down its hedges, And all passing by the way have plucked it?
In the KJVVerse 15,211 of 31,102
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Commentary on Psalms 80 verses 8–19
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.
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.
The psalmist is here presenting his suit for the Israel of God, and pressing it home at the throne of grace, pleading with God for mercy and grace for them. The church is here represented as a vine (Psa 80:8, Psa 80:14) and a vineyard, Psa 80:15. The root of this vine is Christ, Rom 11:18. The branches are believers, Joh 15:5. The church is like a vine, weak and needing support, unsightly and having an unpromising outside, but spreading and fruitful, and its fruit most excellent. The church is a choice and noble vine; we have reason to acknowledge the goodness of God that he has planted such a vine in the wilderness of this world, and preserved it to this day. Now observe here,
I. How the vine of the Old Testament church was planted at first. It was brought out of Egypt with a high hand; the heathen were cast out of Canaan to make room for it, seven nations to make room for that one. Thou didst sweep before it (so some read Psa 80:9), to make clear work; the nations were swept away as dirt with the besom of destruction. God, having made room for it, and planted it, cause it to take deep root by a happy establishment of their government both in church and state, which was so firm that, though their neighbours about them often attempted it, they could not prevail to pluck it up.
II. How it spread and flourished. 1. The land of Canaan itself was fully peopled. At first they were not so numerous as to replenish it, Exo 23:29. But in Solomon's time Judah and Israel were many as the sand of the sea; the land was filled with them, and yet such a fruitful land that it was not over-stocked, Psa 80:10. The hills of Canaan were covered with their shadow, and the branches, though they extended themselves far, like those of the vine, yet were not weak like them, but as strong as those of the goodly cedars. Israel not only had abundance of men, but those mighty men of valour. 2. They extended their conquests and dominion to the neighbouring countries (Psa 80:11): She sent out her boughs to the sea, the great sea westward, and her branches to the river, to the river of Egypt southward, the river of Damascus northward, or rather the river Euphrates eastward, Gen 15:18. Nebuchadnezzar's greatness is represented by a flourishing tree, Dan 4:20, Dan 4:21. But it is observable here concerning this vine that it is praised for its shadow, its boughs, and its branches, but not a word of its fruit, for Israel was an empty vine, Hos 10:1. God came looking for grapes, but, behold, wild grapes, Isa 5:2. And, if a vine do not bring forth fruit, no tree so useless, so worthless, Eze 15:2, Eze 15:6.
III. How it was wasted and ruined: "Lord, thou hast done great things for this vine, and why shall it be all undone again? If it were a plant not of God's planting, it were not strange to see it rooted up; but will God desert and abandon that which he himself gave being to?" Psa 80:12. Why hast thou then broken down her hedges? There was a good reason for this change in God's way towards them. This noble vine had become the degenerate plant of a strange vine (Jer 2:21), to the reproach of its great owner, and then no marvel if he took away its hedge (Isa 5:5); yet God's former favours to this vine are urged as pleas in prayer to God, and improved as encouragements to faith, that, notwithstanding all this, God would not wholly cast them off. Observe, 1. The malice and enmity of the Gentile nations against Israel. As soon as ever God broke down their hedges and left them exposed troops of enemies presently broke in upon them, that waited for an opportunity to destroy them. Those that passed by the way plucked at them; the board out of the wood and the wild beast of the field were ready to ravage it, Psa 80:13. But, 2. See also the restraint which these cruel enemies were under; for till God had broken down their hedges they could not pluck a leaf of this vine. The devil could not hurt Job so long as God continued the hedge round about him, Job 1:10. See how much it is the interest of any people to keep themselves in the favour of God and then they need not fear any wild beast of the field, Job 5:23. If we provoke God to withdraw, our defence has departed from us, and we are undone. The deplorable state of Israel is described (Psa 80:16): It is burnt with fire; it is cut down; the people are treated like thorns and briers, that are nigh unto cursing and whose end is to be burned, and no longer like vines that are protected and cherished. They perish not through the rage of the wild beast and the boar, but at the rebuke of thy countenance; that was it which they dreaded and to which they attributed all their calamities. It is well or ill with us according as we are under God's smiles or frowns.
IV. What their requests were to God hereupon. 1. That God would help the vine (Psa 80:14, Psa 80:15), that he would graciously take cognizance of its case and do for it as he thought fit: "Return, we beseech thee, O Lord of hosts! for thou hast seemed to go away from us. Look down from heaven, to which thou hast retired, - from heaven, that place of prospect, whence thou seest all the wrongs that are done us, that place of power, whence thou canst send effectual relief, - from heaven, where thou hast prepared thy throne of judgment, to which we appeal, and where thou hast prepared a better country for those that are Israelites indeed, - thence give a gracious look, thence make a gracious visit, to this vine. Take our woeful condition into thy compassionate consideration, and for the particular fruits of thy pity we refer ourselves to thee. Only behold the vineyard, or rather the root, which thy right hand hath planted, and which therefore we hope thy right hand will protect, that branch which thou madest strong for thyself, to show forth thy praise (Isa 43:21), that with the fruit of it thou mightest be honoured. Lord, it is formed by thyself and for thyself, and therefore it may with a humble confidence be committed to thyself and to thy own care." As for God, his work is perfect. What we read the branch in the Hebrew is the son (Ben), whom in thy counsel thou hast made strong for thyself. That branch was to come out of the stock of Israel (my servant the branch, Zac 3:8), and therefore, till he should come, Israel in general, and the house of David in particular, must be preserved, and upheld, and kept in being. He is the true vine, Joh 15:1; Isa 11:1. Destroy it not for that blessing is in it, Isa 65:8. 2. That he would help the vine-dresser (Psa 80:17, Psa 80:18): "Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand," that king (whoever it was) of the house of David that was now to go in and out before them; "let they hand be upon him, not only to protect and cover him, but to own him, and strengthen him, and give him success." We have this phrase, Ezr 7:28, And I was strengthened as the hand of the Lord my God was upon me. Their king is called the man of God's right hand as he was the representative of their state, which was dear to God, as his Benjamin, the son of his right hand, as he was president in their affairs and an instrument in God's right hand of much good to them, defending them from themselves and from their enemies and directing them in the right way, and as he was under-shepherd under him who was the great shepherd of Israel. Princes, who have power, must remember that they are sons of men, of Adam (so the word is), that, if they are strong, it is God that has made them strong, and he has made them so for himself, for they are his ministers to serve the interests of his kingdom among men, and, if they do this in sincerity, his hand shall be upon them; and we should pray in faith that it may be so, adding this promise, that, if God will adhere to our governors, we will adhere to him: So will not we go back from thee; we will never desert a cause which we see that God espouses and is the patron of. Let God be our leader and we will follow him. Adding also this prayer, "Quicken us, put life into us, revive our dying interests, revive our drooping spirits, and then we will call upon thy name. We will continue to do so upon all occasions, having found it not in vain to do so." We cannot call upon God's name in a right manner unless he quicken us; but it is he that puts life into our souls, that puts liveliness into our prayers. But many interpreters, both Jewish and Christian, apply this to the Messiah, the Son of David, the protector and Saviour of the church and the keeper of the vineyard. (1.) He is the man of God's right hand, to whom he has sworn by his right hand (so the Chaldee), whom he has exalted to his right hand, and who is indeed his right hand, the arm of the Lord, for all power is given to him. (2.) He is that son of man whom he made strong for himself, for the glorifying of his name and the advancing of the interests of his kingdom among men. (3.) God's hand is upon him throughout his whole undertaking, to bear him out and carry him on, to protect and animate him, that the good pleasure of the Lord might prosper in his hand. (4.) The stability and constancy of believers are entirely owing to the grace and strength which are laid up for us in Jesus Christ, Psa 68:28. In him is our strength found, by which we are enabled to persevere to the end. Let thy hand be upon him; on him let our help be laid who is mighty; let him be made able to save to the uttermost and that will be our security; so will not we go back from thee.
Lastly, The psalm concludes with the same petition that had been put up twice before, and yet it is no vain repetition (Psa 80:19): Turn us again. The title given to God rises, Psa 80:3, O God! Psa 80:7, O God of hosts! Psa 80:19, O Lord (Jehovah) God of hosts! When we come to God for his grace, his good-will towards us and his good work in us, we should pray earnestly, continue instant in prayer, and pray more earnestly.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 8–19. Public domain.
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JeromeAD 420
Against Rufinus 2.24
What is there in human life that can be safe if innocence is made the object of accusation? I am the householder who finds that while he slept the enemy has sown tares among his wheat. “The wild boar out of the wood has rooted up my vineyard, and the strange wild beast has devoured it.” I keep silence, but a letter that is not mine speaks against me. I am ignorant of the crime laid against me, yet I am made to confess the crime all through the world. “Woe is me, my mother, that you have borne me a man to be judged and condemned in the whole earth.”
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 80
Then what? "Wherefore have You thrown down her enclosure?" [Psalm 80:12]. Now ye see the overthrow of that nation of the Jews: already out of another Psalm you have heard, "with axe and hammer they have thrown her down." When could this have been done, except her enclosure had been thrown down. What is her enclosure? Her defence. For she bore herself proudly against her planter. The servants that were sent to her and demanded a recompense, the husbandmen they scourged, beat, slew: there came also the Only Son, they said, "This is the Heir; come, let us kill Him, and our own the inheritance will be:" they killed Him, and out of the vineyard they cast Him forth. When cast forth, He did more perfectly possess the place whence He was cast forth. For thus He threatens her through Isaiah, "I will throw down her enclosure." Wherefore? "For I looked that she should bring forth grapes, but she brought forth thorns." [Isaiah 5:2] I looked for fruit from thence, and I found sin. Why then do you ask, O Asaph, "Why have You thrown down her enclosure?" For do you not know why? I looked that she should do judgment, and she did iniquity. Must not her enclosure needs be thrown down? And there came the Gentiles when the enclosure was thrown down, the vineyard was assailed, and the kingdom of the Jews effaced. This at first he is lamenting, but not without hope. For of directing the heart he is now speaking, that is, for the "Assyrians," for "men directing," the Psalm is. "Wherefore have You thrown down her enclosure: and there pluck off her grapes all men passing along the way." What is "men passing along the way?" Men having dominion for a time.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalms 80:12, a poignant verse within a communal lament attributed to Asaph, voices Israel's profound distress and perceived abandonment by God. Through the vivid metaphor of Israel as a vine, the psalmist questions why the Lord, who once diligently cultivated and protected His people, has seemingly dismantled His divine hedges, leaving the once-flourishing vineyard vulnerable to exploitation and plunder by all who pass by. This verse encapsulates the deep anguish and theological struggle of a people suffering under external oppression, prompting a desperate cry for God's merciful and redemptive restoration.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: Psalm 80 is a fervent communal lament, often categorized among the "Asaph psalms," distinguished by its earnest and repeated plea for divine restoration. The psalm commences with an impassioned appeal to God as the "Shepherd of Israel" and prominently features the recurring refrain, "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" found in Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, and Psalms 80:19. The central and extended metaphor of Israel as a vine, meticulously brought out of Egypt and carefully planted by God, is introduced and developed in Psalms 80:8-11. This rich agricultural imagery provides the essential backdrop for verse 12, where the psalmist shifts from recounting God's past benevolent care to lamenting His apparent withdrawal and the devastating consequences. The rhetorical question posed in Psalms 80:12 intensifies the psalm's plea, highlighting the perplexing paradox of a once-protected people now left exposed, directly leading into further descriptions of their suffering and renewed petitions for God's intervention in Psalms 80:13-19.
Historical & Cultural Context: The psalm likely originates from the Northern Kingdom of Israel, given the specific mention of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh in Psalms 80:2. This suggests a period of severe national distress, possibly during the Assyrian invasions of the 8th century BCE that ultimately led to the exile and dispersion of the Northern tribes. The metaphor of a vineyard protected by "hedges" (stone walls or dense thorn bushes) is deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern agricultural practices, where such enclosures were indispensable for safeguarding valuable crops from wild animals (like the "boar from the forest" mentioned in Psalms 80:13), thieves, and encroaching neighbors. For Israel, these hedges symbolized God's covenantal protection, His providential care, and the divine boundaries He established around His chosen people to ensure their security and distinct identity. The "breaking down" of these hedges, therefore, signifies the removal of God's protective hand, allowing foreign powers ("all they which pass by the way") to invade, plunder, and oppress Israel without resistance, reflecting the grim historical reality of their subjugation and vulnerability.
Key Themes: This verse profoundly contributes to several pivotal themes within Psalm 80 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of Divine Sovereignty and Discipline, acknowledging God's ultimate control over Israel's fortunes, even when His actions appear to be disciplinary or punitive. The rhetorical question "Why hast thou broken down...?" implies that God is the active agent in their suffering, leading to a desperate plea for His mercy rather than a denial of His power. Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of Vulnerability and Exploitation when God's protection is withdrawn. Without the divine "hedges," Israel is depicted as utterly defenseless, easily "plucked" by their enemies, symbolizing their profound loss of resources, dignity, and national security. Finally, it reinforces the pervasive biblical theme of Israel as God's Vineyard, a metaphor that appears throughout the Old Testament to describe God's special relationship with His people and His expectations of them. This imagery is powerfully developed in the "Song of the Vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1-7, where the vineyard's failure to produce good fruit leads to its judgment. The breaking of the hedges in Psalm 80:12 thus represents a perceived divine judgment or withdrawal due to the vineyard's unfaithfulness, prompting a fervent cry for God to "return" and restore His people.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 80:12 is rich in literary devices that amplify its emotional and theological impact. The most prominent is Metaphor, where Israel is consistently portrayed as a "vine" or "vineyard" throughout the psalm, a powerful symbol of God's chosen people brought out of Egypt and planted in the land. The "hedges" are also metaphorical, representing God's divine protection, covenantal care, and the boundaries He established for His people. The verse employs a Rhetorical Question ("Why hast thou...?") which, rather than seeking a direct answer, serves to express profound anguish, bewilderment, and a desperate plea to God, highlighting the psalmist's struggle to reconcile God's past faithfulness with their current suffering. Imagery is central, painting a vivid picture of a once-flourishing vineyard now exposed, with its protective walls broken down, allowing "all they which pass by the way" to casually "pluck" its fruit. This visual evokes a strong sense of vulnerability, exploitation, and desecration. Furthermore, there is a subtle form of Personification as the vine is described as being "plucked," attributing human-like suffering and exploitation to the nation it represents.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:12 profoundly explores the complex interplay between divine protection, human faithfulness, and the experience of national suffering. It grapples with the tension inherent in God's covenant with Israel: while God is eternally faithful to His promises, His people's persistent disobedience and spiritual apostasy can lead to a withdrawal of His protective hand, allowing for disciplinary consequences. This verse does not suggest God is capricious, but rather that His actions, even in judgment, are often a righteous response to the spiritual state of His people. The lament is a cry for understanding and restoration, rooted in the unwavering belief that God remains sovereign even in their distress and that His ultimate desire is to restore His people to Himself. It highlights the profound truth that true security, flourishing, and national well-being depend entirely on remaining within the protective sphere of God's presence and living in faithful obedience to His covenantal ways.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:12 offers a profound lens through which to examine our own lives and communities, both individually and corporately. When we experience seasons of vulnerability, distress, or perceived abandonment, this verse invites us to engage in honest self-examination, asking if our own actions or collective spiritual state have contributed to a weakening of God's protective "hedges" around us. It challenges us to consider whether we have strayed from God's path, neglected His commands, or become complacent in our faith, thus exposing ourselves to spiritual or relational "plucking" by external forces or internal decay. Yet, the psalmist's lament is not one of despair but of desperate hope, a fervent plea for God's restoration. This encourages us to approach God with humility and repentance, acknowledging His sovereignty even in discipline, and trusting in His compassionate desire to restore and renew. It reminds us that our ultimate security and flourishing are found not in our own strength or external circumstances, but in our steadfast reliance on God's unwavering protection and His gracious, abiding presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does the "vine" symbolize in Psalm 80?
Answer: In Psalm 80, the "vine" is a powerful and recurring metaphor for the nation of Israel. It symbolizes God's chosen people, whom He "brought out of Egypt" (Psalms 80:8), carefully planted, nurtured, and caused to flourish in the land of Canaan. This imagery emphasizes God's intimate care, His covenantal relationship with Israel, and His expectation that they would bear good fruit, representing righteousness, justice, and faithfulness. The vine's prosperity and security are directly linked to God's protective hand, making its subsequent distress a poignant symbol of perceived divine abandonment or judgment.
Does God truly "break down" His people's protection, or is it always a result of their sin?
Answer: The psalmist's question "Why hast thou broken down her hedges?" attributes the suffering directly to God's action, reflecting a theological understanding of divine sovereignty. Biblically, God is indeed sovereign over all circumstances, and sometimes He allows or brings about difficult situations as a form of discipline, correction, or to achieve His greater redemptive purposes. While Israel's unfaithfulness and covenant disobedience often led to the withdrawal of God's protection (as seen in the "Song of the Vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1-7), the psalmist's lament also acknowledges God's ultimate agency. It's not always a simple cause-and-effect; sometimes suffering is mysterious. However, the underlying theological principle is that God's people's security and flourishing are profoundly contingent on their relationship with Him. When the "hedges" are perceived as broken, it prompts deep introspection about the community's spiritual state and a renewed cry for God's mercy and restoration.
How does this Psalm relate to God's love, given the apparent withdrawal of protection?
Answer: While Psalm 80 expresses a profound sense of divine abandonment and lament, it is fundamentally a prayer offered to God, not a denial of Him. The very act of crying out "Why?" and repeatedly pleading for restoration ("Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" in Psalms 80:3) demonstrates an underlying belief in God's power, justice, and ultimate love. Even divine discipline, as understood in biblical theology, is an expression of love, intended to correct, purify, and bring His children back to Himself, as articulated in Hebrews 12:6. The psalm's desperate plea for God to "turn again" and "look down from heaven" (Psalms 80:14) reveals a deep-seated trust that God's compassion and steadfast love will ultimately prevail, leading to restoration and renewed favor.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:12, with its lament over the broken hedges of Israel, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound resolution in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament vine, Israel, repeatedly failed to bear the righteous fruit God desired, leading to the breaking of its protective hedges and subsequent judgment, as vividly depicted in the "Song of the Vineyard" in Isaiah 5:1-7. However, Jesus declares Himself the "true vine" in John 15:1, signifying that He perfectly embodies the faithful Israel and fulfills God's original purpose for His people. In Christ, the broken hedges are not merely repaired; rather, a new, unbreakable covenant of protection and life is established. Believers, by being "in Christ," are grafted into this true vine (John 15:5), receiving His life and bearing fruit not by their own strength, but by the power of His indwelling Spirit. The vulnerability and exploitation lamented in Psalm 80 are overcome through Christ's ultimate sacrifice on the cross, where He fully bore the judgment for humanity's unfaithfulness and sin. Through His resurrection, He established a kingdom where those who abide in Him are eternally secure, protected by the very presence and power of God, and promised the ultimate restoration found in the new heavens and new earth where God's dwelling is permanently with His people, and no enemy can pluck them away from His sovereign hand (John 10:28-29).