Psalms 80:3

KJV

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

KJV (with Strong's)

Turn us again {H7725}{H8685)}, O God {H430}, and cause thy face {H6440} to shine {H215}{H8685)}; and we shall be saved {H3467}{H8735)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God, restore us! Make your face shine, and we will be saved.

Berean Standard Bible

Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

American Standard Version

Turn us again, O God; And cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
A fervent and comprehensive plea from a distressed community, serving as a central refrain in this communal lament. It is a desperate, threefold petition for God's sovereign intervention: to initiate their spiritual and national restoration, to manifest His benevolent presence and favor, and thereby to bring about their holistic salvation from affliction, despair, and oppression.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 80 is a profound communal lament found within Book III of the Psalter (Psalms 73-89), traditionally attributed to Asaph, a prominent Levitical choirmaster. The psalm's structure is notably characterized by a recurring refrain, appearing in [verse 3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - The Central Plea for Restoration"), [verse 7](/psalms/80-7 "Psalm 80:7 - The Second Refrain of Plea"), and [verse 19](/psalms/80-19 "Psalm 80:19 - The Concluding Cry for Revival"), which powerfully underscores the persistent and desperate nature of the people's plea for divine intervention. The psalm commences with an earnest appeal to God as the Shepherd of Israel, then transitions into a vivid and poignant metaphor of Israel as a cherished vine brought out of Egypt, now tragically devastated and exposed to its enemies ([Psalms 80:8-13](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-13 - Israel as a Despoiled Vine")). This evocative agricultural imagery deeply amplifies the sense of national distress and the urgent, existential need for God's restorative action, setting the stage for the repeated cry for restoration encapsulated in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - A Prayer for National Revival").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the precise historical backdrop for Psalm 80 remains a subject of scholarly discussion, the psalm unequivocally reflects a period of profound national crisis for Israel. Possible contexts include the devastating Assyrian invasion of the Northern Kingdom (circa 722 BC), the traumatic Babylonian exile (586 BC), or even a later post-exilic period marked by continued distress and vulnerability. The powerful imagery of the "vine" ([Psalms 80:8](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8 - Israel, God's Cultivated Vine")) would have resonated deeply with an agrarian society, symbolizing Israel as God's specially chosen, cultivated, and protected people. The heartfelt plea for God to "cause thy face to shine" echoes a foundational ancient Israelite understanding of divine blessing and presence, most famously articulated in the [priestly blessing of Numbers 6:24-26](/numbers/6-24 "Numbers 6:24-26 - The Aaronic Blessing"), where God's shining face signifies His grace, peace, and active favor. Conversely, the hiding of God's face implied divine displeasure, judgment, or a terrifying sense of abandonment, a reality that the psalmist and the community keenly felt in their time of suffering and national decline.

* **Key Themes:** [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - A Prayer for Restoration") encapsulates several profound theological and narrative themes central to the Psalter and broader Israelite theology. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Restoration**, expressed in the urgent plea "Turn us again, O God." This is not merely a request for a change in external circumstances, but a deep longing for God to initiate a spiritual and national turning, bringing His people back into a right relationship with Him and reversing their dire fortunes. This ties inextricably into the theme of **God's Favor and Presence**, as the request "cause thy face to shine" directly invokes the ancient priestly blessing of [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"), signifying God's benevolent gaze, approval, and active blessing, which dispels darkness and brings life. The ultimate desired outcome, "and we shall be saved," speaks to **Comprehensive Salvation and Deliverance**, encompassing not only spiritual deliverance from sin and alienation but also physical, national, and political rescue from their oppressors and distress. This entire prayer profoundly underscores the absolute **Dependence on God** for all true and lasting salvation, acknowledging that human effort is utterly insufficient and only divine intervention can bring about such a profound transformation and deliverance.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turn (Hebrew, _shûwb'_):** (H7725) This primitive root means "to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively." In the Hiphil stem, as used here ("Turn us again"), it signifies a causative action: "cause us to return" or "restore us." This implies the people's recognition of their inability to turn themselves back to God or to reverse their dire situation; only God's sovereign action can bring about this restoration, both in their spiritual condition and in their national fortunes. It conveys a deep longing for divine reorientation and renewal.
* **shine (Hebrew, _ʼôwr'_):** (H215) This primitive root means "to be (causative, make) luminous (literally and metaphorically)." In the Hiphil imperative ("cause to shine"), it is a direct request for God to emit His light. When combined with "face," it forms the powerful idiom "cause thy face to shine," which is a vibrant expression of divine favor, blessing, and benevolent presence. It stands in stark contrast to God hiding His face, which signifies displeasure or judgment. For God's face to shine upon His people means His anger is lifted, His favor is bestowed, and His life-giving presence is actively at work among them, bringing light into their darkness and dispelling their gloom.
* **saved (Hebrew, _yâshaʻ'_):** (H3467) This primitive root properly means "to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor." In the Niphal imperfect form ("we shall be saved"), it denotes a passive or reflexive action, emphasizing that salvation is something that happens *to* them, something they *receive* from an external source—God Himself. This reinforces the theme of absolute dependence on God for deliverance from their national distress, oppression, and spiritual alienation. It signifies a comprehensive rescue, encompassing physical safety, national security, and spiritual well-being, a complete and holistic deliverance wrought by divine power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Turn us again, O God":** This opening plea is a profound acknowledgment of human helplessness and divine sovereignty. The community recognizes that they are in a state of spiritual and national decline, perhaps having strayed from God's path or fallen into disfavor due to their sin or the actions of their enemies. The request is not for them to turn themselves, but for God to initiate the turning, to bring them back into a right relationship with Him, and to reverse their dire circumstances. It is a desperate cry for divine intervention to restore their spiritual vitality, national standing, and covenant relationship.
* **"and cause thy face to shine;":** This is an earnest request for God's manifest presence, favor, and blessing. The shining of God's face is a potent biblical idiom for His benevolent gaze, approval, and active intervention on behalf of His people. It implies the lifting of divine anger or withdrawal, and the outpouring of His grace, light, and life. This petition seeks not merely a change in external circumstances but a restoration of intimate communion and the tangible experience of God's life-giving, protective, and prosperous presence, which dispels fear and brings hope.
* **"and we shall be saved.":** This clause presents the desired and assured outcome of God's restorative action and shining favor. The term "saved" (_yasha_) in the Old Testament is comprehensive, referring to deliverance from all forms of distress, including military defeat, oppression, sickness, and spiritual alienation. It signifies a complete rescue, restoration to security, and the experience of God's preserving power. The passive voice emphasizes that this salvation is entirely God's work, a direct and inevitable result of His turning them and shining His face upon them, signifying a holistic deliverance that impacts every facet of their existence.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 80:3, and indeed the entire psalm, employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent and poignant message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, as this precise plea forms a recurring refrain in verses 3, 7, and 19. This repetition serves to intensify the communal cry, highlighting the persistent nature of their distress and their unwavering, desperate hope in God's intervention. The phrase "cause thy face to shine" is a striking example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (a face that shines) to God, thereby making His presence and favor more relatable and tangible to the human experience. This imagery also functions as potent **Symbolism**, where the shining face represents divine blessing, approval, life-giving presence, and the dispelling of darkness, standing in sharp contrast to the gloom and suffering of the people. Furthermore, the broader psalm's masterful use of the **Metaphor** of Israel as a vine ([Psalms 80:8-13](/psalms/80-8 "Psalm 80:8-13 - Israel as a Despoiled Vine")) brought out of Egypt and now languishing, provides a rich and emotionally charged backdrop against which the plea for restoration in verse 3 gains even greater poignancy, urgency, and theological depth.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The fervent cry in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - A Prayer for Restoration") resonates deeply with the biblical understanding of God's character as both utterly sovereign and profoundly merciful. It underscores the foundational theological truth that true restoration, whether for an individual soul or an entire nation, originates not from human effort, merit, or strategic planning, but solely from God's gracious initiative. The plea for God to "turn us again" implicitly acknowledges human fallenness, spiritual straying, and the absolute need for divine grace to reorient hearts, lives, and national destinies. The desire for God's "face to shine" is a profound longing for the manifest presence of His favor, which is consistently presented in Scripture as the ultimate source of all blessing, life, and deliverance. This verse thus stands as a powerful testament to the absolute dependence of humanity on God for salvation, highlighting His unique and indispensable role as the sole deliverer, restorer, and sustainer of His people.

* [Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Lord Make His Face Shine Upon You")
* [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - Restore Us to Yourself, O Lord")
* [Psalm 4:6](/psalms/4-6 "Psalm 4:6 - The Light of God's Countenance")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 80:3 offers a timeless and profound model for prayer in times of profound distress, spiritual dryness, or a pervasive sense of alienation from God. It teaches us the profound humility required to acknowledge our complete dependence on divine grace for any true and lasting restoration. When we find ourselves or our communities adrift, facing overwhelming challenges, or sensing God's apparent withdrawal or displeasure, this verse invites us to echo the psalmist's heartfelt cry: to humbly ask God to reorient our hearts, to manifest His benevolent presence, and to bring about His comprehensive salvation. It reminds us that true deliverance, lasting peace, and spiritual vitality are found not in human strategies, self-effort, or worldly solutions, but solely in the sovereign, restoring power of God's shining face. This prayer cultivates a posture of expectant faith, trusting that even in the deepest valleys of despair, God's willingness to turn towards us and shine upon us is our ultimate and unfailing hope.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of your personal life, family, or community do you most acutely feel the need for God to "turn us again" and bring profound restoration?**
* **What does it truly mean for you to earnestly seek God's "shining face," and how might that pursuit transform your current circumstances or spiritual condition?**
* **How does understanding God as the sole and ultimate source of salvation impact your approach to personal struggles, national crises, or global challenges?**

### FAQ
**What does "Turn us again, O God" signify in this context?**

Answer: "Turn us again, O God" is a multifaceted and deeply significant plea for divine intervention. It signifies a request for God to initiate a comprehensive restoration for His people. This includes both a spiritual turning—causing them to return to Him in repentance, renewed devotion, and covenant faithfulness—and a reversal of their national fortunes, bringing them back from a state of distress, defeat, exile, or oppression. It acknowledges that only God possesses the sovereign power to reorient their path, restore their well-being, and bring them back into a right relationship with Him, as seen in similar prayers for divine reorientation in [Lamentations 5:21](/lamentations/5-21 "Lamentations 5:21 - Restore us to yourself, O LORD").

**Why is "cause thy face to shine" such a powerful image?**

Answer: The image of God's "face to shine" is a profound and ancient biblical idiom for His active, benevolent presence, favor, and blessing. It stands in stark contrast to God hiding His face, which implies displeasure, judgment, or abandonment. When God's face shines, it signifies His benevolent gaze, His approval, and the outpouring of His grace, light, and life upon His people. This concept is famously found in the [priestly blessing in Numbers 6:25](/numbers/6-25 "Numbers 6:25 - The Priestly Blessing"), where it is explicitly associated with God granting grace and peace. For the psalmist, it means the lifting of divine anger, the dispelling of darkness, and the restoration of a life-giving, intimate relationship with the Creator.

**What kind of "salvation" is the psalmist seeking in this verse?**

Answer: The "salvation" (Hebrew: _yasha_) sought in [Psalms 80:3](/psalms/80-3 "Psalm 80:3 - A Prayer for Salvation") is comprehensive, encompassing both spiritual and physical deliverance. While it certainly includes spiritual restoration and reconciliation with God, it also refers to rescue from the immediate national crisis—whether military defeat, oppression by enemies, or the hardship of exile. It signifies being set free from all forms of distress, restored to security, and experiencing God's preserving and delivering power in every aspect of life. It is a holistic salvation that addresses the totality of the community's suffering and seeks God's complete restoration of their well-being and covenant status.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 80:3 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The fervent plea for God to "turn us again" is perfectly answered in Christ, who perfectly embodies God's sovereign initiative to reconcile a fallen humanity to Himself. Through His incarnation, sinless life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, Jesus became the singular means by which God turns humanity back from the path of sin and alienation, offering genuine repentance and profound spiritual renewal ([Acts 3:19](/acts/3-19 "Acts 3:19 - Repent and Turn, That Your Sins May Be Blotted Out")). Furthermore, the deep longing for God's "face to shine" is fully realized in Christ, who is explicitly described as "the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" ([2 Corinthians 4:6](/2-corinthians/4-6 "2 Corinthians 4:6 - The Light of the Gospel")). In Him, God's benevolent presence, unmerited favor, and life-giving glory are not merely glimpsed but are fully revealed and made intimately accessible to all who believe. He is the very radiance of God's glory and the exact imprint of His nature ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Radiance of God's Glory")), through whom God's divine light eternally dispels the darkness of sin and death. Consequently, the promise "and we shall be saved" is perfectly and eternally fulfilled in Jesus, who is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God") and the [author of eternal salvation](/hebrews/5-9 "Hebrews 5:9 - Author of Eternal Salvation") for all who obey Him. He not only delivers from present distress but secures eternal life and comprehensive deliverance from the dominion of sin, death, and evil, establishing the ultimate and everlasting restoration for all who trust 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

Lamentations 5:21

Turn thou us unto thee, O LORD, and we shall be turned; renew our days as of old.

Numbers 6:25

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

Numbers 6:26

The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Psalms 85:4

Turn us, O God of our salvation, and cause thine anger toward us to cease.

Psalms 4:6

¶ [There be] many that say, Who will shew us [any] good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

Psalms 80:7

Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalms 80:19

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.