Psalms 80:1-19

LXXX. Then and Now. The Messianic Hope. The Ps. depicts Judah's forlorn condition, first directly (Psalms 80:1) and then under the figure of a vine (Psalms 80:8). It is divided into strophes by the refrain in Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19. (In Psalms 80:3 insert of hosts (LXX) as in Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19.) Probably also the refrain has fallen out after Psalms 80:13.

Psalms 80:1 c. A rhetorical reminiscence of the time when the Ark (1 Samuel 4:4; 2 Samuel 6:2) represented Yahweh and was carried out to battle.

Psalms 80:2. The Psalmist looks forward to the recovery of the northern tribes and their union with Judah before the advent of the Messianic age.

Psalms 80:4. Translate, Wilt thou fume at the prayer?

Psalms 80:5. Read with LXX, fed us, given us.

Psalms 80:6. strife: i.e. an object of contention, such as, e.g., Poland or the Italian States have been to the greater powers. among themselves: read, at us.

Psalms 80:8. The vine in its glory. For the allegory cf. Genesis 49:22; Isaiah 5:1; Jeremiah 2:21.

Psalms 80:10. cedars of God: i.e. so great that they are in a special sense due to Divine action.

Psalms 80:11 gives the ideal boundaries of the Davidic kingdom, viz. the Mediterranean and the Euphrates.

Psalms 80:12 f. The vine in its abandonment.

Psalms 80:14. Prayer for revival.

Psalms 80:15. stock: a word of uncertain meaning.

Psalms 80:15 b is the original, Psalms 80:17 b is an inferior variant. The context shows that the son of man whom thou madest so strong for thyself is primarily Israel personified.