Psalms 80

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us!

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches.

It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River.

Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.

Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,

the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face!

But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!

Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

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Psalms 80

Psalm 80 is a communal lament employing vine metaphor for Israel and appealing for restoration of the Northern Kingdom, exemplifying the theological concerns of Book 3. The psalmist employs vivid imagery and direct address to God, establishing the intimate dialogue between worshiper and the divine that characterizes the psalmic tradition. The theological assertions center on God's character as both judge and redeemer, creating a comprehensive vision of divine justice and mercy integrated with human experience. The psalm reflects on both personal circumstance and communal identity, suggesting that individual faith finds validation through shared experience with the covenant community. The liturgical context indicates this psalm's function in worship where personal piety integrates with communal celebration of God's acts and attributes. The concluding movement typically affirms confidence in God's faithfulness, exemplifying the psalmic pattern of transformation through prayer and remembrance of divine acts throughout history.

Psalms 80:1

Psalm 80 opens with an invocation of the divine shepherd: "Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock!" The address to God as Shepherd and the image of Joseph (Israel) as a flock establish the covenant relationship in pastoral terms. The mention of Joseph specifically invokes the Northern Kingdom, suggesting this psalm may address the loss of the ten northern tribes or may use Joseph/Ephraim language to refer to all Israel.

Psalms 80:2

The divine appearance is requested: "Shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh! Stir up your might, and come to save us!" The specific enumeration of three tribes (representing the central and northern regions) suggests the psalm addresses a crisis affecting northern/central Israel. The request for God to shine forth evokes theophanic imagery: divine manifestation is needed to address the crisis.

Psalms 80:3

A refrain request is introduced: "Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!" The invocation of God's face shining forth—a symbol of divine favor and blessing—is connected to restoration and salvation. The refrain structure (which repeats at vv. 7 and 19) suggests this is a liturgical psalm used in worship services addressing national crisis.

Psalms 80:4

The people question God's anger: "O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?" The rhetorical question expresses frustration that despite prayer and supplication, God continues in anger. The phrase "your people's prayers" suggests that the people have been praying earnestly, yet God's wrath seems unaffected.

Psalms 80:5

The suffering is described: "You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure." The metaphorical language transforms weeping into sustenance and drink; the people's existence has become characterized by suffering. The phrase "in full measure" suggests abundance—there are tears in abundance, an overflowing cup of suffering.

Psalms 80

Psalms 80:6

Psalms 80:7

Psalms 80:8

Psalms 80:9

Psalms 80:10

Psalms 80:11

Psalms 80:12

Psalms 80:13

Psalms 80:14

Psalms 80:15

Psalms 80:16

Psalms 80:17

Psalms 80:18

Psalms 80:19