Psalms 80:5

Psalm 80:5 KJV powerfully conveys the deep anguish and prolonged suffering of the people of Israel. This verse, part of a heartfelt communal lament, describes their daily existence as saturated with grief, a stark picture of national distress.

Context of Psalm 80:5

Psalm 80 is an urgent plea to God for restoration, likely composed during a period of national calamity, such as invasion, defeat, or exile. The Psalmist, Asaph, cries out on behalf of Israel, who are depicted as God's vine, which He brought out of Egypt but is now ravaged (Psalm 80:8-13). The recurring refrain throughout the psalm, "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psalm 80:3, 7, 19), underscores their desperate longing for divine intervention. Verse 5 encapsulates the severity of their plight, where sorrow has become their very sustenance.

Key Themes and Messages

• Profound and Constant Sorrow: The imagery of "bread of tears" and "tears to drink in great measure" vividly portrays a life consumed by grief. It's not just an occasional cry, but tears are their food and drink, signifying incessant and overwhelming distress. This highlights the depth of their national suffering.
• Divine Discipline: The phrase "Thou feedest them" indicates that God Himself is perceived as the one administering this bitter experience. This is a common theme in biblical laments, where suffering is often understood as a form of divine discipline or chastisement for Israel's disobedience, intended to bring them back to repentance. Hebrews 12:6 reminds us, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth."
• Longing for Restoration: Despite the intense suffering, the very act of lamenting in this Psalm is an expression of faith and hope in God's ability and willingness to restore them. The people cry out for God to remember His covenant and turn His favor upon them once more.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrase for "bread of tears" is lekhem dim'ah (לחם דמעה), a powerful metaphor that literally means "bread of weeping." This idiom powerfully conveys that tears are their daily nourishment, the very staple of their existence, emphasizing the constant nature of their sorrow. The phrase "great measure" (שליש - shalish) often refers to a third part or a large measure, suggesting an abundant, overflowing quantity of sorrow, not merely a sip but a full draught.

Practical Application

Psalm 80:5 resonates with anyone experiencing prolonged periods of grief, hardship, or feeling overwhelmed by life's difficulties. It acknowledges that sometimes, sorrow can feel like a constant companion, a daily meal. This verse offers:

• Validation of Suffering: It assures those in distress that their feelings of profound sorrow are recognized and voiced in Scripture.
• Perspective on Discipline: For believers, it provides a framework to consider suffering not just as random misfortune, but potentially as part of God's sovereign plan, even His loving discipline, to draw us closer to Him or refine our character. Job 23:10 speaks to God knowing our path and refining us like gold.
• Encouragement for Prayer: Like Asaph, we are encouraged to bring our deepest laments and pleas for restoration directly to God, trusting in His ultimate compassion and power to deliver. Even when tears are our food, our hope remains in the one who can wipe away every tear.