Psalms 80:2

KJV

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come [and] save us.

KJV (with Strong's)

Before {H6440} Ephraim {H669} and Benjamin {H1144} and Manasseh {H4519} stir up {H5782}{H8786)} thy strength {H1369}, and come {H3212}{H8798)} and save {H3444} us.

Complete Jewish Bible

Before Efrayim, Binyamin and M'nasheh, rouse your power; and come to save us.

Berean Standard Bible

before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

American Standard Version

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up thy might, And come to save us.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 80:2 is a passionate and urgent communal lament, serving as a fervent plea to God, the Divine Shepherd, to decisively manifest His immense power and intervene on behalf of His distressed people. Addressing the representative tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, the psalmist implores the Lord to rouse His inherent strength and actively come to their rescue, thereby underscoring a profound national dependence on divine intervention for restoration, deliverance, and salvation from overwhelming calamity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 80 is a deeply emotional communal lament, a fervent prayer for God's restoration of Israel, set against a backdrop of national distress. The psalm opens by invoking God as the [Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock](/psalms/80-1 "Psalm 80:1 - God, the Shepherd of Israel"), immediately establishing a tone of dependence and highlighting the focus on the northern tribes. This particular verse, [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalms 80:2 - A Plea for Divine Intervention"), specifically names "Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh," a collective mention that underscores a comprehensive plea for the entire nation, particularly those who had suffered greatly or faced the imminent threat of exile. The verse is an integral part of a larger prayer characterized by the repeated refrain, [Restore us, O God; cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The Repeated Plea for Restoration"), which appears three times in the psalm ([Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The Repeated Plea for Restoration"), [Psalms 80:7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - The Repeated Plea for Restoration"), [Psalms 80:19](/psalms/80-19 "Psalm 80:19 - The Repeated Plea for Restoration")), emphasizing the desperate longing for divine intervention and comprehensive restoration.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific mention of "Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh" is highly significant, pointing to a particular historical period of national distress. Ephraim and Manasseh were the two prominent sons of Joseph, whose descendants formed the most powerful tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often collectively referred to as "Ephraim." Benjamin's territory lay strategically between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, frequently caught in the middle of political and military conflicts. This enumeration suggests a time when the Northern Kingdom, or indeed all of Israel, faced severe oppression or the threat of foreign invasion, likely from powers like Assyria, who often targeted the northern territories first. The psalmist's plea reflects the historical realities of a people under siege, longing for God to act as their deliverer, much like He had done in the past, leading His people [like a flock](/psalms/80-1 "Psalm 80:1 - God, the Shepherd of Israel") through the wilderness. The imagery of God as a Shepherd is deeply embedded in Israelite culture, signifying divine protection, provision, and guidance, particularly vital during times of national vulnerability.

* **Key Themes:** The core message of [Psalms 80:2](/psalms/80-2 "Psalms 80:2 - A Plea for Divine Intervention") is an urgent cry for **Divine Intervention**. The imperative "stir up thy strength" is a fervent appeal for God to actively engage His immense power and sovereignty on behalf of His people, reflecting a profound belief in God's omnipotence and His ability to alter dire circumstances. This leads directly to the theme of **National Restoration**, as the petition to "come and save us" is a direct request for deliverance from national calamity, whether from external enemies, internal strife, or spiritual decline. The psalmist acknowledges that only God possesses the strength and ability to bring about true salvation, highlighting the theme of **Human Helplessness and Divine Omnipotence**. This verse also contributes to the overarching theme of **Lament and Prayer**, demonstrating the Israelites' practice of bringing their deepest distress and fervent requests directly to God, trusting in His covenant faithfulness and His unwavering commitment to His people, a trust seen throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalm 22:19](/psalms/22-19 "Psalm 22:19 - Do not be far from me, O Lord; O my strength, hasten to help me!").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stir up (Hebrew, _ʻûwr'_):** This primitive root (H5782) means "to wake (literally or figuratively)," "to arouse," or "to stir up (self)." When applied to God, as in this verse, it is an anthropomorphic expression. It does not imply that God is literally asleep or inactive, but rather conveys the psalmist's fervent desire for God to manifest His active presence and power in a visible, decisive, and impactful way. It underscores the urgency and desperation of the prayer, pleading for God to become tangibly present and active in their dire situation.
* **Strength (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwrâh'_):** This feminine passive participle (H1369) refers to "force (literally or figuratively)," "valor," "victory," "might," or "power." It denotes God's inherent, active power and ability to accomplish His will, especially in acts of deliverance and judgment. The plea for God to "stir up His strength" is a petition for Him to unleash His mighty, saving power on behalf of His people, recalling His historical acts of deliverance, such as those recounted in [Exodus 15:13](/exodus/15-13 "Exodus 15:13 - You led them in your strength").
* **Save (Hebrew, _yᵉshûwʻâh'_):** This feminine passive participle (H3444) signifies "something saved," or abstractly, "deliverance," "aid," "victory," "prosperity," and "welfare." It encompasses both physical deliverance from enemies or distress and spiritual salvation. The request "come and save us" is a direct and urgent appeal for God's redemptive intervention, signifying a complete reliance on His ability to provide comprehensive deliverance from their current predicament, bringing about welfare and prosperity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh":** This phrase specifies the tribes for whom the divine intervention is particularly sought. Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph, represented the dominant and most populous tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, often serving as a synecdoche for the entire northern confederation. Benjamin, though geographically situated between the northern and southern kingdoms, often aligned with the north or was caught in conflicts between the two. Their collective mention indicates a comprehensive plea for the entire nation, particularly emphasizing the plight and desperate need of the northern tribes who frequently bore the brunt of foreign aggression and suffered significant losses. It highlights the national scope of the distress and the comprehensive nature of the desired salvation.
* **"stir up thy strength":** This is a powerful, anthropomorphic imperative. It is not a request for God to gain strength, as His power is infinite and inherent, but rather an impassioned plea for Him to activate or unleash the infinite strength He already possesses. The psalmist is imploring God to rouse Himself from a perceived state of inaction or hiddenness, to make His power evident and effective in their dire circumstances. It's a cry for God to manifest His inherent might in a tangible and decisive way for their deliverance.
* **"and come [and] save us":** This is the direct and ultimate petition, articulating the desired outcome of God's intervention. Following the request for God to "stir up His strength," this clause specifies the desired result: God's active presence ("come") leading to their comprehensive deliverance ("save us"). It expresses a deep longing for God's personal and redemptive intervention, recognizing that only His direct action can bring about the desired salvation from their national calamity, bringing about their welfare and prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent plea and theological depth. **Anthropomorphism** is strikingly evident in the phrase "stir up thy strength," which attributes human-like action (awakening or rousing from a state of rest) to God. This vivid imagery does not suggest that God is literally asleep or inactive, but rather expresses the psalmist's desperate longing for God to visibly and decisively manifest His inherent, infinite power in their dire circumstances. **Merism** or **Synecdoche** is used by naming specific tribes—Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh—to represent the entire nation of Israel, particularly emphasizing the northern kingdom. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the national distress and the desired salvation, appealing for the well-being of all God's people. Furthermore, the use of the **Imperative Mood** in "stir up" and "come and save" underscores the psalmist's earnestness, desperation, and the direct, unreserved nature of the prayer, reflecting a profound dependence on divine action and a bold confidence in God's willingness to respond.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 80:2 is a profound expression of Israel's understanding of God as their sovereign and active deliverer. It reflects a theology where God is not distant or passive, but intimately involved in the affairs of His people, capable of intervening with overwhelming power. The plea to "stir up thy strength" acknowledges God's omnipotence while simultaneously expressing the human experience of distress and the desperate need for divine action. This verse echoes a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament: when human efforts fail, the people of God turn to Him, trusting in His covenant faithfulness and His ability to save. It underscores the vital role of prayer as a direct and bold appeal to the Almighty, reminding believers that God's strength is the ultimate source of salvation and restoration, both for individuals and for nations. It is a testament to the enduring faith that God hears the cries of His people and is able to act mightily on their behalf.

* [Isaiah 51:9](/isaiah/51-9 "Isaiah 51:9 - Awake, O Arm of the Lord")
* [Psalm 44:23](/psalms/44-23 "Psalm 44:23 - Awake, O Lord!")
* [Exodus 15:2](/exodus/15-2 "Exodus 15:2 - The Lord is my strength and my song")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The desperate plea in Psalms 80:2, "stir up thy strength, and come and save us," holds profound relevance for believers today, offering a timeless model for prayer in times of profound need. In a world often marked by overwhelming challenges—personal struggles, societal brokenness, or global crises—this verse invites us into a posture of radical dependence on God. It encourages us to pray boldly and specifically, not as a last resort, but as our primary and most potent recourse. Like the psalmist, we are called to articulate our needs with urgency, trusting that the God who shepherds His people is both attentive and infinitely powerful. This verse reminds us that true salvation and lasting restoration come not from human ingenuity or strength, but from the active, manifest power of God. It challenges us to look beyond our limited capabilities and to fix our hope on the One who alone can "stir up His strength" and bring about true deliverance and peace, transforming our despair into confident expectation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the psalmist's urgent plea for God to "stir up His strength" resonate with your own prayers in times of crisis or helplessness?**
* **In what specific areas of your life, family, community, or the world do you most desperately need God to "come and save"?**
* **How does acknowledging God's omnipotence, even when His action seems delayed, free you to pray with greater faith and expectation?**
* **What does it mean for you to trust in God's active intervention rather than relying solely on human solutions or your own limited strength?**

### FAQ
**Why are these specific tribes (Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh) mentioned in Psalms 80:2?**

Answer: The mention of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh is highly significant and deeply rooted in Israel's history. Ephraim and Manasseh were the two sons of Joseph, whose descendants formed the most prominent and powerful tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often simply called "Ephraim" as a representative name for the entire northern confederation). Benjamin's territory was strategically located between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, often caught in the middle of their conflicts or aligned with the north. By naming these specific tribes, the psalmist is making a comprehensive plea for the entire nation, particularly emphasizing the northern tribes who frequently bore the brunt of foreign aggression and suffered significant losses. It underscores the national scope of the distress and the comprehensive nature of the desired salvation, appealing to God as the Shepherd of all Israel, as mentioned in [Psalms 80:1](/psalms/80-1 "Psalm 80:1 - God, the Shepherd of Israel").

**What does it mean for God to "stir up thy strength"? Does it imply God is weak or inactive?**

Answer: The phrase "stir up thy strength" (Hebrew: עוּר גְּבוּרָה, _'ur gevurah'_) is an anthropomorphic expression, attributing human-like action to God. It does not imply that God is literally weak, asleep, or inactive. Instead, it is a fervent and desperate plea from the psalmist for God to rouse Himself from a perceived state of hiddenness or inaction and to visibly and decisively manifest His inherent, infinite power. It's a cry for God to unleash His mighty strength for the deliverance of His people, recalling His historical acts of salvation, such as those described in [Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's mighty hand of deliverance"). This language expresses the intense longing of the people for God's active and saving presence in their dire circumstances, a desire for Him to make His power known and felt in a tangible way.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The desperate plea in Psalms 80:2 for God to "stir up thy strength, and come and save us" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament longing for divine intervention, for God to manifest His saving power in a decisive way, is fully realized in the Incarnation. Jesus is the very embodiment of God's strength and salvation, the "arm of the Lord" made flesh ([Isaiah 53:1](/isaiah/53-1 "Isaiah 53:1 - The Arm of the Lord Revealed")). He is the true and ultimate Shepherd of Israel, who not only leads and protects His flock but willingly lays down His life for them ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). His coming into the world was God's direct and decisive "stirring up of strength" to save His people from their sins ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus will save His people from their sins")), delivering them from a bondage far greater than any earthly oppression. Through His life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Christ demonstrated God's immeasurable power, triumphing over sin, death, and the grave ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's immeasurable power in Christ")). Thus, the ancient cry for God to "come and save us" is definitively answered in the person of Jesus, who is the very salvation of God, bringing not just national deliverance but eternal redemption and reconciliation to all who believe in Him.

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 35:23

Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, [even] unto my cause, my God and my Lord.

Numbers 2:18

On the west side [shall be] the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their armies: and the captain of the sons of Ephraim [shall be] Elishama the son of Ammihud.

Numbers 2:24

All that were numbered of the camp of Ephraim [were] an hundred thousand and eight thousand and an hundred, throughout their armies. And they shall go forward in the third rank.

Isaiah 42:13

¶ The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.

Isaiah 42:14

I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, [and] refrained myself: [now] will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.

Psalms 44:23

Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast [us] not off for ever.

Psalms 44:26

Arise for our help, and redeem us for thy mercies' sake.