Psalms 80
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1Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out. 2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might! Come to save us! 3Turn us again, God. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. 4Yahweh God of Armies, How long will you be angry against the prayer of your people? 5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure. 6You make us a source of contention to our neighbors. Our enemies laugh among themselves. 7Turn us again, God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved. 8You brought a vine out of Egypt. You drove out the nations, and planted it. 9You cleared the ground for it. It took deep root, and filled the land. 10The mountains were covered with its shadow. Its boughs were like God’s cedars. 11It sent out its branches to the sea, Its shoots to the River. 12Why have you broken down its walls, so that all those who pass by the way pluck it? 13The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it. 14Turn again, we beg you, God of Armies. Look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vine, 15the stock which your right hand planted, the branch that you made strong for yourself. 16It’s burned with fire. It’s cut down. They perish at your rebuke. 17Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. 18So we will not turn away from you. Revive us, and we will call on your name. 19Turn us again, Yahweh God of Armies. Cause your face to shine, and we will be saved.
World English Bible (public domain)
“"Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!"”
Psalms 80:3
Summary
Psalms 80 is a communal lament, where the people of Israel cry out to God for restoration. The psalmist, Asaph, begins by addressing God as the Shepherd of Israel, one who leads Joseph like a flock. This imagery evokes God's past care and guidance, urging Him to shine His face upon His people for salvation. Asaph recounts the dire state of the nation, illustrating their desolation and tears as a result of divine displeasure. He pleads with God to return, look down from heaven, and revive the vine – a metaphor for Israel – that He once nurtured and established. The psalm is steeped in covenantal language, drawing on the history of Israel's relationship with God and appealing for divine intervention. Its refrain – a cry for God to restore, save, and shine His face upon them – emphasizes their hope in God's mercy and power to deliver them from their plight.
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Chapter outline
How Psalms 80 unfolds
Psalm 80:1–3 Call for Divine Help
The psalmist addresses God as the Shepherd of Israel, asking Him to save His people. The plea highlights Israel's desperate need for restoration and divine intervention.
Psalm 80:4–6 A Cry Amid Suffering
The people lament their suffering and God’s anger, expressing feelings of abandonment and pain. Their tears symbolize the depth of their distress and vulnerability before their enemies.
Psalm 80:7–11 Remembrance of God's Past Care
The psalmist recalls God's past actions in bringing Israel out of Egypt and nurturing them like a vine. This imagery emphasizes God's faithfulness and the current state of neglect.
Psalm 80:12–16 Desolation of the Vine
The lament continues with a vivid description of the vine's destruction, symbolizing Israel's downfall. The psalmist asks God to intervene and restore His people.
Psalm 80:17–19 A Hopeful Plea for Revival
The psalmist appeals to God to renew His relationship with Israel and restore their strength. The repetition of the plea underscores their hope in divine favor for salvation.
Key verses
Psalms 80:3This key verse encapsulates the chapter's emphasis on the desperate need for God's restoration and divine favor.
Main themes in Psalms 80
Restoration
Restoration is a central theme in Psalm 80, particularly in verses 3 and 19 where the psalmist cries out for God to turn and save His people. This theme develops through the imagery of the vine, which represents Israel's need for renewal and revival. Within the chapter's larger movement, restoration signifies hope and reliance on God's mercy.
Divine Favor
Divine favor is sought throughout Psalm 80, especially in verses 3 and 19, highlighting the people's understanding of their need for God's grace. The chapter complicates this theme by contrasting Israel's current desolation with its past blessings and God's nurturing care. This contrast underscores the necessity of divine favor for Israel's salvation and restoration.
Covenantal Relationship
The covenantal relationship between God and Israel is evident in verses 8-15, where the psalmist recalls God's previous actions to establish and care for His people. This theme is complicated by the current state of abandonment, as Israel feels distanced from God’s promises. The chapter ultimately emphasizes the importance of this relationship in seeking restoration and divine intervention.
Communal Lament
Communal lament is evident throughout Psalm 80, as the people collectively voice their suffering and pleas for help in verses 1-7. This theme develops through their shared history and experiences of distress, which foster a communal identity. The chapter’s focus on lament underscores the collective hope for divine intervention and restoration.
Cross-references
Passages that echo Psalms 80
- Numbers 6The blessing in Numbers 6 echoes the plea for God's face to shine upon His people, highlighting themes of divine favor.
- John 15The imagery of the vine in Psalm 80 connects with John 15, where Jesus speaks of Himself as the true vine, emphasizing dependence on divine nurturing.
- Psalm 85Psalm 85 develops similar themes of restoration and God's favor, resonating with the pleas in Psalm 80 for salvation.
- Psalm 119Psalm 119 connects through its themes of seeking God's guidance and favor, paralleling the cries for God's attention in Psalm 80.
- Lamentations 5Lamentations 5 echoes the communal lament present in Psalm 80, highlighting shared suffering and the plea for divine restoration.
- John 10John 10 connects with the shepherd imagery in Psalm 80, where God is portrayed as the protector and guide of His people.
Study questions
Questions for studying Psalms 80
- What imagery is used to describe God in verses 1-2?
- How does the psalmist express the people's suffering in verses 4-5?
- What historical references does the psalmist make about Israel's past in verses 8-9?
- How does the metaphor of the vine in verses 8-14 illustrate Israel's situation?
- What is the significance of the repeated plea in verses 14-19?
- How do the themes of lament and restoration intersect in this psalm?
- What might the prayer for God's face to shine indicate about the people's faith?
Psalms 80: frequently asked questions
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