Psalms80
World English Bible · Public Domain
1 Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
2 Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us!
3 Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.
4 Yahweh God of Armies, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?
5 You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure.
6 You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves.
7 Turn us again, God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.
8 You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it.
9 You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars.
11 It sent out its branches to the sea, its shoots to the River.
12 Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it?
13 The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it.
14 Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine,
15 the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself.
16 It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke.
17 Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself.
18 So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name.
19 Turn us again, Yahweh God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.
Study
Psalms 80Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 80. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The psalmist complains of the miseries of the church. (1–7). Its former prosperity and present desolation. (8–16). A prayer for mercy. (17–19).
vv1-7
He that dwelleth upon the mercy-seat, is the good Shepherd of his people. But we can neither expect the comfort of his love, nor the protection of his arm, unless we partake of his converting grace. If he is really angry at the prayers of his people, it is because, although they pray, their ends are not right, or there is some secret sin indulged in them, or he will try their patience and perseverance in prayer. When God is displeased with his people, we must expect to see them in tears, and their enemies in triumph. There is no salvation but from God's favour; there is no conversion to God but by his own grace.
vv8-16
The church is represented as a vine and a vineyard. The root of this vine is Christ, the branches are believers. The church is like a vine, needing support, but spreading and fruitful. If a vine do not bring forth fruit, no tree is so worthless. And are not we planted as in a well-cultivated garden, with every means of being fruitful in works of righteousness? But the useless leaves of profession, and the empty boughs of notions and forms, abound far more than real piety. It was wasted and ruined. There was a good reason for this change in God's way toward them. And it is well or ill with us, according as we are under God's smiles or frowns. When we consider the state of the purest part of the visible church, we cannot wonder that it is visited with sharp corrections. They request that God would help the vine. Lord, it is formed by thyself, and for thyself, therefore it may, with humble confidence, be committed to thyself.
vv17-19
The Messiah, the Protector and Saviour of the church, is the Man of God's right hand; he is the Arm of the Lord, for all power is given to him. In him is our strength, by which we are enabled to persevere to the end. The vine, therefore, cannot be ruined, nor can any fruitful branch perish; but the unfruitful will be cut off and cast into the fire. The end of our redemption is, that we should serve Him who hath redeemed us, and not go back to our old sins.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
שׁוּשַׁן: a lily (from its whiteness), as aflower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)
עוֹד: properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
אָסָף: Asaph, the name of three Israelites, and of the family of the first
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
אָזַן: to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen
רָעָה: to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a friend)
יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
נָהַג: to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), i.e. lead, carry away; reflexively, to proceed (i.e. impel or guide oneself); also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh
יוֹסֵף: Joseph, the name of seven Israelites
Cross References
Psalms 80Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh; matches the wilderness marching order behind the Ark in Num 2.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Jacob's blessing of Joseph references God as the Shepherd and Stone of Israel.
Supported by JFB
God dwelling between the cherubim above the mercy seat of the Ark of the Covenant.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin, JFB
The priestly blessing: 'The Lord make his face shine upon thee,' echoed in the refrain.
Supported by JFB
The classic prophetic parable of Israel as God's planted, cultivated, and ultimately ruined vineyard.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Jesus as the True Vine, fulfilling and restoring the failing Old Testament national vine.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Wordplay on Benjamin, meaning 'son of my right hand,' referring to the man of God's right hand.
Supported by JFB
Parallels God leading His people 'like a flock' by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Elijah's prayer at Carmel for God to turn the apostate northern tribes' hearts back again.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels Israel becoming a reproach and derision to neighbors and enemies.
Supported by JFB
God threatens to break down the protective hedge of His vineyard, leaving it exposed.
Supported by JFB
Laments God breaking down all of His people's hedges and strongholds.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The plea to be quickened (revived) so that the people may worship and stand.
Supported by JFB
Eating ashes like bread and mingling drink with tears in deep affliction.
Supported by Matthew Poole