TRV
Translation
King James Version
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong 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.
World English Bible Messianic
the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the vineyard, that thy right hand hath planted, and the young vine, which thou madest strong for thy selfe.
Young's Literal Translation
And the root that Thy right hand planted, And the branch Thou madest strong for Thee,
In the KJVVerse 15,214 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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Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 80
But with what profit is this? "O God of virtues turn Thou nevertheless" [Psalm 80:14]. Although these things have been done, "Turn Thou nevertheless." "Look from heaven and see, and visit this vineyard." "And perfect Thou her whom Your right hand has planted" [Psalm 80:15]. No other plant Thou, but this make Thou perfect. For she is the very seed of Abraham, she is the very seed in whom all nations shall be blessed: [Genesis 22:18] there is the root where is borne the graffed wild olive. "Perfect Thou this vineyard which Your right hand has planted." But wherein does He perfect? "And upon the Son of man, whom You have strengthened to Yourself." What can be more evident? Why do ye still expect, that we should still explain to you in discourse, and should we not rather cry out with you in admiration, "Perfect Thou this vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and upon the Son of man" perfect her? What Son of man? Him "whom You have strengthened to Yourself." A mighty stronghold: build as much as you are able. "For other foundation no one is able to lay, except that which is laid, which is Christ Jesus." [1 Corinthians 3:11]
Augustine of HippoAD 430
IN ANSWER TO THE JEWS 6:7
Psalm 79 [LXX] is similarly titled "For the things that shall be changed." In this psalm, among other things, is written, "look down from heaven and see; visit this vineyard and perfect what your right hand has planted and on the son of man whom you have confirmed for yourself." This is the vineyard of which it is said, "You have brought a vineyard out of Egypt." Christ did not plant another; by his coming he changed that one into a better vineyard. Accordingly, we find in the Gospel: "He will utterly destroy those evil men, and will let out the vineyard to other vine dressers." The Gospel does not say, "He will uproot and will plant another," but "this same vineyard he will let out to other vine dressers." The city of God and congregation of the children of promise must be filled with the same community of saints by the death and succession of mortal beings and at the end of the world will receive its due immortality in all people. This same thought is expressed differently by means of the fruitful olive tree in another psalm, which says, "But I as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God forever, yea, for ever and ever." It was not because the unbelievers and the proud had been broken away and the branches were on that account unfruitful and the wild olive of the Gentiles was ingrafted that the root of the patriarchs and prophets died. Isaiah says, "For if your people, O Israel, shall be as the sand of the sea, a remnant of them shall be saved," but through him about whom the psalm says, "and on the son of man whom you have confirmed for yourself," and about whom is reiterated, "Let your hand be on the man of your right hand: and on the son of man whom you have confirmed for yourself. And we depart not from you." Through this Son of man, Christ Jesus, and from his remnant, that is, the apostles and the many others from among the Israelites who have believed in Christ as God, and with the increasing number of Gentiles, the holy vineyard is being completed. Thus, in the passing of the old rites and in the institution of the new, the title of the psalm, "For the things that shall be changed," is fulfilled.
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 80:15 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 and Jeremiah's lament over Israel as a noble vine turned wild. The "right hand" of God consistently signifies His power, authority, and active intervention, notably in the Exodus account of the Lord's mighty acts. 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."
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
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.
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
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, 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 in Isaiah 11:1 and 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). 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 in Isaiah 4:2, and 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, 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."