Psa 80:4-6 | KingComments | STEP | The remnant turns to the “LORD God [of] hosts” ( ). He is the LORD, that is the God of the covenant. That is their relationship with Him, though they do not experience that relationship now. He is also the “God of hosts”, the God Who is above all heavenly and earthly powers, good and bad. They ask Him the question that torments them: “How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?” They acknowledge that their distress is the result of the anger of God and that the anger of God is the result of their sins. This situation is consistent with the covenant. But the question that torments them is “how long?” Wouldn’t God stop His anger at some point? Surely He is the Shepherd of His people, isn’t He? Then they may expect Him to pasture them ( ), which means He will give them food and refreshing water ( ). However, he has “fed them with the bread of tears” and has “made them to drink tears in large measure” ( ). This is ‘a meal’ that is particularly hard on their minds. Drinking one’s own tears is a bitter thing. It is the consequence of going one’s own way. We can also remember that the suffering of the people as a result of their sins and the rejection of Christ was so great that the Lord Himself shed tears over it ( ). At the same time, it is also a wholesome ‘meal’, for it arises from repentance for their sins. That they should drink “in large measure” means that God determines the measure of it. The Hebrew for “large measure” is literally ‘a third part of a measure’, that is, a third of an ephah (about thirty-six liters), which is twelve liters. To give twelve liters of tears to drink is quite a lot. Added to that is what their neighbors, the neighboring peoples, say about them ( ). They argue about which of them can profit most from their misery. At the same time they make fun of the misery that has come over them. They mock about it among themselves. But surely God is the “God [of] hosts” ( ), the God Who is above all earthly and heavenly hosts, whether good or bad, isn’t He? Again (cf. ) the psalmist appeals to the LORD, the God of the covenant, now emphasizing His power to act on behalf of His people. Let Him then restore them by bringing them back to their land and blessing. When He causes His face to shine, that is, when He accepts them and comes to them, they will be redeemed. Of this they are sure. The question is not whether God can do it, but whether He is willing to do it (cf. ). That God can do it is not a matter of doubt for them. After all, they call Him the God of hosts. But will God also be gracious to them? That is what they ask of Him. For us as believers in the New Testament there is no doubt. We are assured of the riches of His grace, which we have received: “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” ( ).

‏ Psalms 80:4-6

How long?

The remnant turns to the “LORD God [of] hosts” (Psa 80:4). He is the LORD, that is the God of the covenant. That is their relationship with Him, though they do not experience that relationship now. He is also the “God of hosts”, the God Who is above all heavenly and earthly powers, good and bad.

They ask Him the question that torments them: “How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?” They acknowledge that their distress is the result of the anger of God and that the anger of God is the result of their sins. This situation is consistent with the covenant. But the question that torments them is “how long?” Wouldn’t God stop His anger at some point? Surely He is the Shepherd of His people, isn’t He? Then they may expect Him to pasture them (Psa 79:13), which means He will give them food and refreshing water (Psa 23:1-2).

However, he has “fed them with the bread of tears” and has “made them to drink tears in large measure” (Psa 80:5). This is ‘a meal’ that is particularly hard on their minds. Drinking one’s own tears is a bitter thing. It is the consequence of going one’s own way. We can also remember that the suffering of the people as a result of their sins and the rejection of Christ was so great that the Lord Himself shed tears over it (Lk 19:41-44).

At the same time, it is also a wholesome ‘meal’, for it arises from repentance for their sins. That they should drink “in large measure” means that God determines the measure of it. The Hebrew for “large measure” is literally ‘a third part of a measure’, that is, a third of an ephah (about thirty-six liters), which is twelve liters. To give twelve liters of tears to drink is quite a lot.

Added to that is what their neighbors, the neighboring peoples, say about them (Psa 80:6). They argue about which of them can profit most from their misery. At the same time they make fun of the misery that has come over them. They mock about it among themselves.

But surely God is the “God [of] hosts” (Psa 80:7), the God Who is above all earthly and heavenly hosts, whether good or bad, isn’t He? Again (cf. Psa 80:4) the psalmist appeals to the LORD, the God of the covenant, now emphasizing His power to act on behalf of His people. Let Him then restore them by bringing them back to their land and blessing. When He causes His face to shine, that is, when He accepts them and comes to them, they will be redeemed. Of this they are sure.

The question is not whether God can do it, but whether He is willing to do it (cf. Mt 8:2-3). That God can do it is not a matter of doubt for them. After all, they call Him the God of hosts. But will God also be gracious to them? That is what they ask of Him. For us as believers in the New Testament there is no doubt. We are assured of the riches of His grace, which we have received: “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (Jn 1:16).