Psalms 80
A Prayer for Restoration and God’s FavorIn this psalm, the psalmist prays to God for help on behalf of Israel during a time of trouble. He asks God to show mercy, to forgive, and to restore his people. The psalmist recognizes that only God can change their situation, and he asks for God’s shining favor to return. The prayer is full of humility and hope, trusting that God is able to save and renew his people if they turn back to him.v. 1-2: The psalmist addresses God as the Shepherd of Israel. He says, “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength, and come and save us”(Psalm 80:1-2 a). He trusts that God cares for his people like a shepherd cares for sheep. He asks God to show his glory and power, especially in front of all the tribes, and to come quickly to rescue them. – v. 3: He prays, “Turn us again, O God, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved”. The psalmist knows that only God can change their hearts and bring them back to himself. God’s favor—his shining face—is their only hope for salvation and blessing. v. 4: The psalmist complains that God seems angry even with the prayers of his people: “O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry against the prayer of your people?”. He fears God’s anger more than anything else. Sometimes, God may seem to delay answering prayers to test his people or because there is something wrong in their hearts (James 4:3 b). v. 5: He describes their sadness: “You feed them with the bread of tears; and give them tears to drink in great measure”. The people eat their food with tears every day. Their lives are full of sorrow and pain (Psalm 42:3 c). v. 6: The psalmist adds that their neighbors fight over them and mock them: “You make us a strife to our neighbors: and our enemies laugh among themselves”. The enemies argue over how to harm Israel, and they enjoy seeing Israel suffer and struggle. v. 7: Once again, he prays, “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved”. This repeated prayer shows how much they long for God’s forgiveness and love. The psalmist knows that true change and salvation come only when God brings his people back to himself and shows them his favor. The Desolated VineIn this section, the psalmist compares Israel to a vine planted by God. He prays for God’s mercy and help, reminding God of how he cared for this vine in the past. The psalmist describes how the vine once flourished but is now ruined because of sin and enemies. He pleads with God to restore and protect it, trusting in God’s power and promises.v. 8-9: The psalmist recalls how God planted Israel like a vine. “You have brought a vine out of Egypt: you have cast out the heathen, and planted it. You prepared room before it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land”(Psalm 80:8-9 d). God rescued Israel from Egypt and cleared the land of Canaan for them. He made them strong and established them as his people. – v. 10: He describes how the vine grew and spread. “The hills were covered with its shadow, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars”. Israel became numerous and powerful, filling the land and extending its influence. The vine’s branches were strong and reached far. v. 11: The psalmist continues, “She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river”. Israel’s dominion extended from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River, fulfilling God’s promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18 e). However, the psalmist does not mention fruit, because Israel often failed to produce the spiritual fruit God desired (Isaiah 5:2 f). v. 12-13: He laments the destruction of the vine. “Why have you then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? The boar out of the wood does waste it, and the wild beast of the field does devour it”(Psalm 80:12-13 g). God removed his protection, and now enemies attack and destroy Israel. The psalmist recognizes that this happened because Israel became unfaithful, like a wild vine (Jeremiah 2:21 h). – v. 14-15: He prays for God to restore the vine. “Return, we beseech you, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; and the vineyard which your right hand has planted, and the branch that you made strong for yourself”(Psalm 80:14-15 i). The psalmist asks God to remember that he planted and cared for Israel. He trusts that God will not abandon what he created for his own glory. – v. 16: The psalmist describes the vine’s suffering. “It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of your countenance”. Israel’s destruction is not just from enemies but also from God’s judgment. The psalmist knows that God’s favor or anger determines their fate. v. 17-18: He prays for God’s hand to be upon their leader. “Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, upon the son of man whom you made strong for yourself. So will we not go back from you: quicken us, and we will call upon your name”(Psalm 80:17-18 j). This could refer to a king of Israel or prophetically to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who is the true vine (John 15:1 k). The psalmist asks for strength and revival, promising that the people will remain faithful to God. – v. 19: The psalm ends with a repeated plea. “Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause your face to shine; and we shall be saved”(Psalm 80:19 l). The psalmist knows that salvation comes only from God’s favor. He prays earnestly for God to restore his people and bless them again.
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