Psalms 80:2

i.e. Before all the tribes of Israel; for whom he mentions only these three tribes, either,

1. Because of their special relation to Joseph here named, Psalms 80:1; Ephraim and Manasseh being his sons, and Benjamin his brother both by his father and mother. Or,

2. Because these were eminent tribes: Ephraim, the head of the kingdom of the ten tribes; Manasseh was planted and powerful on both sides of Jordan; and Benjamin, because the greatest part of Jerusalem and the temple was in its lot. Or,

3. With respect and allusion to the ancient situation of the tabernacle in the wilderness, where these tribes were placed on the west side of the tabernacle, Numbers 2:18, &c., in which the ark was, which consequently was before them. So the sense is, O thou who didst of old go forth before these tribes, &c., do so again at this time. Or,

4. Because these tribes had a greater share of the calamities here designed than others; which might be very true, though it be not expressed in the sacred history, in which we have only the substance of things, and such circumstances are commonly omitted. Stir up thy strength; which seems now to be asleep, or idle and useless.