Psalms 80:14

KJV

Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

KJV (with Strong's)

Return {H7725}{H8798)}, we beseech thee, O God {H430} of hosts {H6635}: look down {H5027}{H8685)} from heaven {H8064}, and behold {H7200}{H8798)}, and visit {H6485}{H8798)} this vine {H1612};

Complete Jewish Bible

God of armies, please come back! Look from heaven, see, and tend this vine!

Berean Standard Bible

Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine—

American Standard Version

Turn again, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: Look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:14 is a fervent and poignant plea for divine intervention and restoration, arising from a period of profound national distress for Israel. The verse encapsulates a communal lament, imploring the omnipotent "God of hosts" to "return," "look down from heaven," "behold," and "visit" His people, who are tenderly depicted through the metaphor of a suffering vine. It expresses a deep yearning for God's active, benevolent presence and powerful action to reverse their desolate circumstances and restore them to their former state of flourishing under His protective care.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 is a communal lament, a heartfelt prayer for national restoration attributed to Asaph. It is characterized by a recurring refrain that intensifies with each repetition: "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (cf. [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The Refrain for Restoration"), [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - The Refrain Repeated"), [Psalms 80:19](/psalms/80-19 "Psalm 80:19 - The Final Plea for Restoration")). The central and dominant metaphor throughout the psalm is that of Israel as a vine, which God Himself brought out of Egypt and carefully planted (see [Psalms 80:8-11](/psalms/80-8-11 "Psalm 80:8-11 - Israel as God's Vine")). Prior to verse 14, the psalmist laments that God has seemingly broken down the vine's protective hedge, allowing wild beasts to devour and spoil it (cf. [Psalms 80:12-13](/psalms/80-12-13 "Psalm 80:12-13 - The Broken Hedge")). Verse 14, therefore, intensifies the desperate cry for God to re-engage with this suffering vine, highlighting the people's dire need for His personal and powerful attention after His apparent withdrawal.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical setting for Psalm 80 remains a subject of scholarly debate, it most plausibly reflects a period of severe national calamity, such as the Assyrian invasion and subsequent exile of the Northern Kingdom (Israel, particularly the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, explicitly mentioned in [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalm 80:2 - Tribes of Israel")). This era brought immense suffering, foreign oppression, and a sense of divine abandonment. Culturally, the imagery of the vine was profoundly significant in the ancient Near East, where vineyards were crucial agricultural assets, symbolizing prosperity, blessing, and covenant faithfulness. For Israel, the vine metaphor represented their identity as God's chosen and cultivated people, a theme deeply embedded in their national consciousness. The desolation of a vineyard, as vividly depicted in the psalm, would have been a terrifying and tangible representation of national ruin, foreign invasion, and perceived divine displeasure. The plea for God to "return" thus embodies a desperate longing for Him to re-establish His protective presence and reverse the national catastrophe.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Psalm 80, powerfully encapsulated in verse 14, is **Divine Restoration**. The psalmist and the community recognize that only God's active presence and direct intervention can reverse their fortunes and lead them back to a state of blessing and flourishing. This theme intertwines with **God's Sovereignty and Power**, as addressing God as "O God of hosts" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Sabaoth_) underscores His supreme authority over all creation and His absolute ability to deliver His people from any plight. The pervasive **Metaphor of Israel as God's Vine** highlights God's intimate covenant relationship with His people, His past faithfulness in nurturing them, and the tragic contrast with their current desolate state. This powerful imagery is echoed in other prophetic texts, such as [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 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine"). Finally, the verse expresses **Earnest Intercession**, with the repeated pleas for God to "return," "look down," "behold," and "visit" conveying a humble, persistent, and desperate prayer for divine attention and beneficial action.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym'_):** This plural noun, often translated as "God," refers to the supreme God, the Creator and Ruler of the universe. While it can also refer to gods in a general sense, its use here with the context of "hosts" and the singular verb "return" clearly points to the one true God of Israel. It emphasizes His divine nature and supreme authority.
* **hosts (Hebrew, _tsâbâʼ'_):** This term refers to a mass of persons or things, especially an army or organized group for warfare. When combined with "God" to form "God of hosts" (_Yahweh Sabaoth_), it signifies God as the sovereign commander of heavenly armies (angels) and all cosmic forces. It portrays Him as the Lord of all creation, possessing infinite power and authority, capable of delivering His people from any foe or plight.
* **look down (Hebrew, _nâbaṭ'_):** This primitive root means "to scan," "to look intently at," and by implication, "to regard with pleasure, favor, or care." In this context, it is a plea for God not merely to observe their suffering casually, but to fix His gaze upon them with compassionate attention and active concern, leading to a beneficial intervention.
* **visit (Hebrew, _pâqad'_):** This primitive root carries a wide range of meanings, including "to attend to," "to inspect," "to muster," "to charge," "to care for," or "to punish." In Psalms 80:14, the plea is for God to "visit" in a beneficial sense—to actively engage with His people, showing care, protection, and restorative power, much like a shepherd tending to his flock or a gardener to his vine. It is a request for God's personal, redemptive presence to reverse their desolation and restore their vitality.
* **vine (Hebrew, _gephen'_):** Derived from an unused root meaning "to bend," this word refers to a vine, especially the grape. In the context of Psalm 80, "this vine" is a powerful metaphor for Israel, representing God's chosen people whom He carefully cultivated and brought out of Egypt. The term highlights their identity as a people intimately connected to God's care and their current state of desolation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts:":** This opening clause is a direct, urgent, and humble appeal to God. The verb "return" (שׁוּב, _shuv_) implies that God has seemingly withdrawn His favor, protection, or active presence, and the people are pleading for Him to come back to them. "We beseech thee" (literally, "please") underscores the earnestness and desperation of their prayer. Addressing Him as "O God of hosts" invokes His immense power and supreme authority, appealing to His capacity to act decisively on their behalf.
* **"look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;":** This forms a triple appeal, intensifying the plea for divine attention and action. "Look down from heaven" is an anthropomorphic expression, picturing God observing their plight from His exalted, heavenly throne, implying His transcendence yet His ability to perceive earthly suffering. "Behold" (רָאָה, _ra'ah_) is more than a casual glance; it signifies a careful, compassionate, and attentive observation of their suffering. Finally, "visit this vine" is the culmination of the plea, asking God not just to see but to actively intervene with His restorative, life-giving power. "This vine" refers metaphorically to Israel, using the central image of the psalm, emphasizing their identity as God's chosen and once-flourishing people who are now desolate and in dire need of His tender care and powerful intervention.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 80:14 masterfully employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its poignant and urgent message. The most prominent is the **Metaphor** of "this vine" for Israel. This extended metaphor, developed throughout the psalm, powerfully illustrates God's initial loving cultivation of His people, their flourishing under His care, and their current state of desolation due to His apparent withdrawal. The image of a ravaged vineyard, broken down and devoured by wild beasts, evokes deep sympathy and urgency, underscoring the severity of their plight. **Anthropomorphism** is also evident in the pleas for God to "return," "look down," "behold," and "visit," attributing human-like actions and perceptions to God to express the people's profound desire for His personal, compassionate, and active engagement. The triple imperative—"look down," "behold," and "visit"—creates a sense of **Climax** and **Emphasis**, building from mere observation to active, restorative intervention. This also functions as a form of **Parallelism**, reinforcing the singular, desperate request for God's beneficial presence and highlighting the multifaceted nature of the divine action they seek.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The plea in Psalms 80:14 resonates deeply with the broader biblical narrative of God's covenant relationship with His people and His unwavering commitment to their restoration. It underscores the profound theological truth that God is not a distant or apathetic deity but one who hears the cries of His people and is capable of intervening powerfully on His behalf. The lament acknowledges human failure and the consequences of divine judgment, yet it never abandons hope in God's ultimate mercy and faithfulness. It teaches that even in the darkest valleys of suffering and apparent abandonment, the proper response is persistent, humble, and earnest prayer, appealing to God's character as the omnipotent "God of hosts" and His past acts of salvation. The "vine" metaphor connects Israel's identity and destiny directly to God's care, implying that their flourishing is entirely dependent on His active presence and benevolent "visitation." This reliance on divine intervention for national well-being is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament.

* [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard and its Judgment")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine")
* [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel, a Degenerate Vine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:14 offers a profound model for believers facing personal or corporate distress. It reminds us that when we feel abandoned, overwhelmed by circumstances, or witness the decline of spiritual vitality around us, our first and most potent recourse is earnest prayer to the sovereign God. This verse encourages a posture of humble dependence, acknowledging that true restoration—whether personal healing, spiritual revival, or societal transformation—originates solely from God's active "visitation." It challenges us to persist in prayer, even when answers seem delayed, clinging to the truth that the "God of hosts" is powerful enough to reverse any desolation. Furthermore, it calls us to examine our own lives and communities: are we living as a flourishing "vine" under God's careful cultivation, or have we become desolate through neglect, unfaithfulness, or a turning away from His commands? The cry for God to "return" is often a prelude to our own turning back to Him in repentance and renewed devotion, recognizing that His presence is our ultimate source of life and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community do you feel the most urgent need for God to "return" and "visit" with His restorative power?**
* **How does recognizing God as the "God of hosts" impact your confidence in His ability to intervene in seemingly impossible situations, both personally and globally?**
* **What does it mean for you to be a "vine" planted by God, and how can you cultivate a deeper dependence on His nurturing care and protection?**
* **How can this psalm's earnest plea inspire greater persistence, humility, and specificity in your own prayer life, especially when facing hardship?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the title "God of hosts" in this verse?**

Answer: The title "God of hosts" (Hebrew: _Yahweh Sabaoth_) is highly significant because it emphasizes God's supreme power and authority. "Hosts" refers to armies, both earthly and, more importantly, heavenly. By addressing God as "God of hosts," the psalmist acknowledges Him as the divine commander of all forces, capable of marshaling celestial armies and intervening decisively in human history and the affairs of nations. In the context of a lament, it is a profound appeal to His omnipotence, recognizing that only such a powerful God can "return," "look down," "behold," and "visit" His desolate people with the necessary strength and might to bring about complete restoration. It underscores the belief that no situation is too dire or hopeless for His intervention, as He commands all the resources of the universe.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:14, with its poignant plea for God to "visit this vine," finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament "vine" was Israel, a people often proving unfaithful and bearing sour fruit as depicted in [Isaiah 5:1-7](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Song of the Vineyard"), Jesus declares Himself to be the "true vine" in [John 15:1-5](/john/15-1-5 "John 15:1-5 - Jesus the True Vine"). He is the perfect embodiment of God's chosen people, the faithful Son through whom all who believe are grafted in and receive life. The "visitation" longed for in Psalm 80 is fully realized in the Incarnation, when God Himself, the "God of hosts," "visited and redeemed His people" through the birth of Jesus Christ (cf. [Luke 1:68](/luke/1-68 "Luke 1:68 - God's Visitation in Christ")). Jesus, as God in human flesh, came to tend to the desolate vineyard of humanity, offering ultimate restoration through His atoning sacrifice and resurrection. Through Him, the Church becomes God's new "vine" or "spiritual house" (cf. [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - A Spiritual House")), a chosen race and holy nation (cf. [1 Peter 2:9-10](/1_peter/2-9-10 "1 Peter 2:9-10 - A Chosen People")), flourishing under His constant care and empowered by His Spirit. The ancient prayer for God to "return" and "visit" now anticipates Christ's glorious second coming, when He will return to fully restore His creation and gather His redeemed people into eternal glory, completing the work begun at His first advent.

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

Isaiah 63:15

¶ Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where [is] thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained?

Daniel 9:16

O Lord, according to all thy righteousness, I beseech thee, let thine anger and thy fury be turned away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy mountain: because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people [are become] a reproach to all [that are] about us.

Daniel 9:19

O Lord, hear; O Lord, forgive; O Lord, hearken and do; defer not, for thine own sake, O my God: for thy city and thy people are called by thy name.

Psalms 90:13

Return, O LORD, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

Isaiah 63:17

O LORD, why hast thou made us to err from thy ways, [and] hardened our heart from thy fear? Return for thy servants' sake, the tribes of thine inheritance.

Malachi 3:7

¶ Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept [them]. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

Psalms 33:13

The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.