Psalms 80:15

KJV

And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch [that] thou madest strong for thyself.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the vineyard {H3657}{H3661}{H8798)} which thy right hand {H3225} hath planted {H5193}{H8804)}, and the branch {H1121} that thou madest strong {H553}{H8765)} for thyself.

Complete Jewish Bible

Protect what your right hand planted, the son you made strong for yourself.

Berean Standard Bible

the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself.

American Standard Version

And the stock which thy right hand planted, And the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:15 is a poignant plea within a communal lament, where the psalmist appeals to God for the restoration of His people, Israel. The verse masterfully employs rich agricultural imagery, likening Israel to a cherished vineyard and a strong branch, to underscore God's intimate relationship with, deliberate investment in, and sovereign ownership over His chosen nation. This powerful imagery serves as the foundation for an impassioned cry for divine intervention, renewed favor, and a reversal of their current state of desolation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 is a fervent communal lament, belonging to the "Asaphite" collection (Psalms 73-83), which frequently addresses national suffering and appeals for divine restoration. The psalm begins with an urgent, threefold refrain: "Restore us, O God; cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (verses 3, 7, 19), setting the tone for a desperate appeal. Verses 8-14 meticulously develop the central metaphor of Israel as a vine, brought out of Egypt, planted by God, and initially flourishing, only to be subsequently broken down, its protective hedges removed, and its fruit devoured by wild beasts. Verse 15 directly follows this vivid depiction of desolation, serving as a direct address to God, reminding Him of His original act of planting and strengthening. The verses immediately following (16-19) intensify the plea, invoking God's hand upon His "son" and "man of Your right hand," culminating in a renewed cry for restoration and salvation, thereby structuring the psalm as a movement from profound lament to a hopeful, though not yet realized, request for God's intervention.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop for Psalm 80 is widely believed to be a period of significant national distress for the Northern Kingdom of Israel, possibly in the aftermath of the devastating Assyrian invasions (c. 734-722 BCE) which led to the exile of many Israelites. The psalm's specific references to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh (verse 2) strongly point to the northern tribes. In ancient Israel, agriculture, particularly viticulture (grape cultivation), was central to daily life, economy, and spiritual understanding. The imagery of a "vineyard" was a deeply resonant and common metaphor for Israel's relationship with Yahweh, symbolizing His careful cultivation, protection, and expectation of fruitfulness. This imagery is pervasive in prophetic literature, such as [Isaiah's song of the vineyard](/isaiah/5-1-7 "Isaiah 5:1-7 - The Vineyard of the Lord") and [Jeremiah's lament over Israel as a noble vine turned wild](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - God Planted Israel as a Noble Vine"). The "right hand" of God consistently signifies His power, authority, and active intervention, notably in the [Exodus account of the Lord's mighty acts](/exodus/15-6 "Exodus 15:6 - The Lord's Right Hand"). The cultural understanding of a vineyard as a cherished, carefully tended possession makes the psalmist's appeal to God's ownership particularly poignant and urgent.

* **Key Themes:** Psalms 80:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the psalm and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Ownership and Investment**. Israel is not a happenstance nation but God's deliberate "vineyard," planted by His own "right hand," emphasizing His sovereign choice and the immense care He poured into establishing them. Secondly, the verse highlights **Divine Nurturing and Purpose**, as God "madest strong" the branch "for thyself," indicating that Israel's strength and existence derive directly from God and are intended for His glory and purposes. This undergirds the theme of **Covenant Relationship**, where God's past faithfulness and ongoing commitment are invoked as the basis for present appeal. Finally, the verse is a pivotal part of the psalm's overarching theme of **Lament and Plea for Restoration**. By reminding God of His initial, loving investment, the psalmist implicitly appeals to God's character and prior actions, pleading for a renewed act of intervention, protection, and revival in the face of national devastation. This plea is powerfully echoed throughout the psalm, particularly in the repeated refrain, "[Restore us, O God; cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - Plea for Restoration")."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Vineyard (Hebrew, _kannâh'_):** A plant (as set), used idiomatically for a vineyard. In biblical literature, this term, often a rich and pervasive metaphor for Israel, signifies a chosen, carefully tended, and highly valued possession of God. The imagery implies meticulous care, protection, and an expectation of fruitfulness. Its use here underscores God's deliberate and intimate relationship with His people, contrasting sharply with their current state of desolation and serving as a powerful reminder of His initial investment.
* **Right Hand (Hebrew, _yâmîyn'_):** This term refers to the right hand or side, often signifying strength, dexterity, and authority. In the context of God, it is a common biblical anthropomorphism representing His omnipotent power, sovereign strength, and active intervention. When Israel is described as "planted by thy right hand," it emphasizes the divine origin and unassailable power behind their establishment, highlighting that their existence is not by human might but by God's active, powerful work in bringing them into being and settling them in the land.
* **Branch (Hebrew, _bên'_):** Primarily meaning "son" or "child," in this agricultural context, it refers to a "shoot" or "sprout" from the vine, representing the offspring or continuation of the vineyard. It can refer to the nation of Israel as a whole, or more specifically, to a particular strong shoot that God nurtured. The phrase "that thou madest strong for thyself" reinforces the idea that this specific "branch" was not merely a natural growth but divinely empowered and purposed for God's own glory and use, embodying the vitality and future of God's chosen people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted":** This clause directly continues the vineyard metaphor established in the preceding verses (8-14), explicitly identifying Israel as God's personal "vineyard." The phrase "thy right hand hath planted" profoundly emphasizes God's sovereign power, deliberate choice, and active, omnipotent involvement in bringing Israel out of Egypt and settling them in the Promised Land. It serves as a powerful and direct reminder to God of His own immense investment and intimate ownership over His people, thereby forming a foundational basis for the psalmist's desperate plea for restoration and renewed divine favor.
* **"and the branch [that] thou madest strong for thyself."**: This second clause refines and intensifies the agricultural imagery, focusing on a specific "branch" or "shoot" of the vineyard. This "branch" represents either the nation of Israel as a whole, or perhaps a particular segment, leader, or even the future Messianic line within it, whom God specifically strengthened and established. The crucial addition "for thyself" highlights God's ultimate and overarching purpose in nurturing Israel: their strength, prosperity, and very existence were not for their own autonomy or self-glorification, but were intrinsically intended to serve God's divine will, to manifest His glory, and to fulfill His redemptive plan in the world. It underscores the covenantal relationship where Israel's flourishing was inextricably linked to their role in God's grand design.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is exceptionally rich in **Metaphor**, primarily extending the pervasive **Vineyard Metaphor** that dominates Psalm 80. Israel is not literally a vineyard or a branch, but these agricultural images are used to convey their identity as God's chosen, cultivated, and cherished people, highlighting His investment and their expected fruitfulness. The phrase "thy right hand hath planted" employs **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human physical action (planting with a hand) to God, thereby making His immense power and direct involvement more relatable, vivid, and personal. The concept of God making the "branch" strong "for thyself" also contains potent elements of **Purposeful Language**, emphasizing the divine intentionality behind Israel's strength, existence, and ultimate destiny. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a profound form of **Rhetorical Appeal** within the larger communal lament, reminding God of His past faithfulness and profound investment in His people as a compelling basis for His present and urgently needed intervention.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:15 powerfully articulates the profound theological truth of God's intimate, deliberate, and purposeful relationship with His chosen people. It underscores that Israel's very existence, flourishing, and strength are not accidental but are the direct result of God's sovereign hand and intentional cultivation. This divine ownership implies both a responsibility on God's part to care for and protect His vineyard, and a corresponding accountability on Israel's part to bear the expected fruit for Him. The plea embedded in the verse reflects a deep understanding of God's covenant faithfulness, appealing to His unchanging character as the one who plants and strengthens, even when His vineyard appears desolate and under judgment. This theological foundation provides a robust hope for restoration, as the psalmist trusts that the God who so carefully cultivated will not ultimately abandon what He Himself has so profoundly invested in.

* [Isaiah 5:7](/isaiah/5-7 "Isaiah 5:7 - The Vineyard of the Lord is the House of Israel")
* [Jeremiah 2:21](/jeremiah/2-21 "Jeremiah 2:21 - God Planted Israel as a Noble Vine")
* [Hosea 10:1](/hosea/10-1 "Hosea 10:1 - Israel as a Degenerate Vine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:15 offers profound encouragement and a significant challenge for believers today. Just as God meticulously planted and strengthened Israel, His ancient people, so too does He establish and sustain His new covenant people, the Church, and individual believers within it. We are, in a spiritual sense, His "vineyard," called to bear spiritual fruit, and our strength is not inherent but is derived solely from His empowering grace and active presence. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that our ultimate purpose is "for thyself"—for God's glory, His divine purposes, and the advancement of His kingdom, not for our own self-aggrandizement or autonomy. When facing trials, spiritual dryness, feelings of weakness, or seasons of apparent barrenness, we can draw immense comfort from the unwavering truth that God will not abandon what His own mighty hand has planted and made strong. This verse calls us to persistent, faith-filled prayer for God's continued protection, a fresh outpouring of His Spirit for revival, and the faithful fulfillment of His divine plan in our individual lives, our families, and our communities, trusting in His unwavering commitment to His cherished possession.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific ways do I recognize God's "right hand" actively planting, cultivating, and strengthening aspects of my personal life or the community of faith I belong to?**
* **How does understanding that I am "made strong for thyself" (for God's purposes) impact my perspective on my unique gifts, talents, and the calling on my life?**
* **When facing periods of spiritual barrenness, discouragement, or adversity, how can the imagery of God's cherished vineyard and strong branch encourage my prayer for revival and restoration?**
* **What "fruit" does God expect from His "vineyard" (my life, my church), and how can I better align my efforts and priorities with His divine purpose and expectations?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "vineyard" metaphor in this psalm?**

Answer: The "vineyard" metaphor in Psalms 80:15, and indeed throughout the Old Testament, is profoundly significant. It symbolizes Israel as God's specially chosen, cultivated, and cherished possession. Just as a vinedresser carefully prepares the ground, plants the vine, builds a protective hedge around it, and diligently tends to it, so God brought Israel out of Egypt, settled them in the Promised Land, and protected them with His covenant faithfulness. This imagery emphasizes God's immense investment, sovereign ownership, and expectation of fruitfulness from His people. When the vineyard is described as broken down, as vividly portrayed in [Psalms 80:12-13](/psalms/80-12-13 "Psalm 80:12-13 - The Broken-Down Vineyard"), it powerfully depicts the national distress and divine judgment that has befallen Israel, prompting the psalmist's desperate plea for God to restore His beloved and once-flourishing vineyard.

**Who is the "branch" that God made strong for Himself?**

Answer: The "branch" (Hebrew: _bên_, meaning "son" or "shoot") in Psalms 80:15 can be interpreted in several rich ways, each pointing to a significant aspect of God's relationship with Israel. Primarily, it refers to the nation of Israel as a whole, or a specific strong segment, leader, or even the king within it, whom God empowered and established. It signifies the vitality, strength, and continuation of the "vineyard." Prophetically, this "branch" can also powerfully foreshadow the Messiah. Old Testament prophecies often refer to a future righteous ruler or savior as "the Branch," such as the [Branch from the stump of Jesse](/isaiah/11-1 "Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch from Jesse") in Isaiah 11:1 and [the Righteous Branch](/jeremiah/23-5 "Jeremiah 23:5 - The Righteous Branch") in Jeremiah 23:5. In this sense, the "branch" made strong "for thyself" points to God's ultimate purpose in raising up a divinely appointed leader who would embody His strength, perfectly fulfill His will, and accomplish His redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:15, with its poignant imagery of God's vineyard and the branch He made strong for Himself, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While ancient Israel was God's chosen vineyard, they often failed to bear the expected fruit and ultimately withered under judgment. Jesus, however, declares Himself to be the [true vine](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine") (John 15:1). He is the perfect "branch" that God made strong for Himself, not merely a part of the vineyard, but its very essence, its life-giving source, and its perfect embodiment. The Old Testament prophecies of "the Branch" (e.g., [the Branch of the Lord](/isaiah/4-2 "Isaiah 4:2 - The Branch of the Lord") in Isaiah 4:2, and [My Servant the Branch](/zechariah/3-8 "Zechariah 3:8 - My Servant the Branch") in Zechariah 3:8) find their glorious culmination in Jesus, who is the righteous shoot from the line of David, established by God's own power and for His divine purposes. Through His obedient life, atoning death, and victorious resurrection, Jesus perfectly fulfilled God's purpose, bearing abundant fruit and bringing ultimate glory to the Father. Believers, by being spiritually [in Christ](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in the Vine"), become branches of this true vine, drawing their life, strength, and fruitfulness directly from Him, thereby participating in the ultimate fulfillment of God's vineyard, the Church, which is called to bear fruit for God's glory, just as the original branch was made strong "for thyself."

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 80:8

¶ Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

Zechariah 3:8

¶ Hear now, O Joshua the high priest, thou, and thy fellows that sit before thee: for they [are] men wondered at: for, behold, I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH.

Jeremiah 2:21

Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?

John 15:1

¶ I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.

Isaiah 11:1

¶ And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:

Mark 12:1

¶ And he began to speak unto them by parables. A [certain] man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about [it], and digged [a place for] the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country.

Zechariah 6:12

And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name [is] The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD: