Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary < PSALM 80
Ps 80:1-19. Shoshannim—"Lilies" (see on [613]Ps 45:1, title). Eduth—Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Ps 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm. 1, 2. Joseph—for Ephraim (1Ch 7:20-29; Ps 78:67; Re 7:8), for Israel. Shepherd—(Compare Ge 49:24). leadest, &c.—(Ps 77:20). dwellest … cherubim—(Ex 25:20); the place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people (Heb 9:5). shine forth—appear (Ps 50:2; 94:1). Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. 2. Before Ephraim, &c.—These tribes marched next the ark (Nu 2:18-24). The name of Benjamin may be introduced merely in allusion to that fact, and not because that tribe was identified with Israel in the schism (1Ki 12:16-21; compare also Nu 10:24).
Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 3. Turn us—that is, from captivity.
thy face to shine—(Nu 6:25). O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? 4. be angry—(Compare Margin.)
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. 5. bread of tears—still an Eastern figure for affliction.
Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. 6. strife—object or cause of (Isa 9:11). On last clause compare Ps 79:4; Eze 36:4.
Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. 8-11. brought—or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine—(Ps 78:47). The figure (Isa 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25). Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? 12. hedges—(Isa 5:5).
The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it. 13. The boar—may represent the ravaging Assyrian and
the wild beast—other heathen. Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; 14, 15. visit this vine—favorably (Ps 8:4).
And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself. 15. And the vineyard—or, "And protect or guard what thy right hand," &c.
the branch—literally, "over the Son of man," preceding this phrase, with "protect" or "watch." for thyself—a tacit allusion to the plea for help; for It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. 16. it—the "vine" or
they—the "people" are suffering from Thy displeasure. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. 17. thy hand … upon—that is, strengthen (Ezr 7:6; 8:22).
man of … hand—may allude to Benjamin (Ge 35:18). The terms in the latter clause correspond with those of Ps 80:15, from "and the branch," &c., literally, and confirm the exposition given above. So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. 18. We need quickening grace (Ps 71:20; 119:25) to persevere in Thy right worship (Ge 4:26; Ro 10:11).
Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. 19. (Compare Ps 80:3, "O God"; Ps 80:7, "O God of hosts"). |
