Psalms · psalm 80 of 150
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Psalm 80 is a plea by Asaph to the Shepherd of Israel to restore his people, with a refrain repeated three times: restore us, let your face shine, that we may be saved. It pictures the people as a vine brought out of Egypt and planted by God, now with its walls broken down and burned. It ends by asking that God's hand be on the man of his right hand and that he give them life.
The title says it is a psalm of Asaph, addressed to the choirmaster, to the tune of Lilies, a Testimony. It is in Book III and mentions Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh, northern tribes, so many link it with the northern kingdom, perhaps before or during the fall of Samaria. The text does not say precisely. Its most notable feature is the refrain, which marks three sections of the poem with a formula that grows more solemn each time.
The psalm begins with a call: give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might and come to save us. Then the refrain appears: restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
In verses 4 to 6 the poet asks: 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. The refrain returns, with a more solemn name: God of hosts.
Verses 8 to 13 use the image of the vine. 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, its branches were like the mighty cedars. It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. But now its walls are broken down, 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.
Verses 14 to 19 ask God to turn again, look down from heaven and have regard for this vine, the stock his right hand planted and the son he made strong for himself. It is burned with fire and cut down, and perishes at the rebuke of his face. May his hand be on the man of his right hand, the son of man whom he made strong for himself. Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name. The refrain closes the psalm with the most solemn name: Lord God of hosts, restore us.
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
The psalmist calls God the Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock and sits enthroned between the cherubim. He joins nearness and majesty: the king of heaven is also the shepherd of his people.
This is the refrain of the psalm: restore us, let your face shine, that we may be saved. Salvation consists in God's favorable presence, not only in a change of circumstances.
God brought a vine out of Egypt and planted it by driving out the nations. The picture of Israel as a vine recalls that its life and fruit depend on the care of the vinedresser.
The people promise not to turn away from God again if he gives them life, and they will call on his name. The restoration they ask for is a revival that keeps them faithful.
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
Answer: Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock. — Psalm 80:1
Answer: Restore us, let your face shine, that we may be saved. — Psalm 80:3
Answer: The bread of tears and tears to drink in full measure. — Psalm 80:5
Answer: From Egypt. — Psalm 80:8
Answer: They are broken down, and all who pass by pluck its fruit. — Psalm 80:12
Answer: Not to turn back from him and to call on his name. — Psalm 80:18
Psalm 80 is a good prayer for churches that feel they have lost their strength. Instead of seeking formulas, the psalmist asks God to look at them again. In a small group you can pray the refrain aloud, letting each person name areas in need of restoration: the family, the church, the witness.
The image of the vine also invites reflection on dependence. A vine does not hold itself up. For Christians, Jesus said he is the true vine in John 15:1-5, and those who remain in him bear fruit. The restoration of the church is not a human project but a work of God, to which we respond with faithfulness.
Psalm 80 ends with the most solemn refrain: Lord God of hosts, restore us. Psalm 81 changes to a festive tone, with trumpets and songs, and with God's invitation that his people listen to him.
The psalm does not explain. It may refer to the people of Israel as God's son, to the Davidic king of the moment or to a future king whom God will raise up. Some Christians see in the phrase an echo of the Messiah, but the text does not state it, and other readings are possible.
The refrain marks three sections of the psalm and changes the name of God each time: God in verse 3, God of hosts in verse 7 and Lord God of hosts in verse 19. The effect is a prayer that grows more solemn and more urgent as it goes.