PSALM PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:1. This is a community lament for a
situation in which the people have received hard treatment from the
Gentiles. It asks God to “restore us, let your face shine that we
may be saved!” A notable feature of the psalm is its refrain,
“Restore us, O [Lord] God [of hosts];... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:3 LET YOUR FACE SHINE recalls Aaron’s
blessing (Numbers 6:25).
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PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:4 The people cry because God is ANGRY WITH
his PEOPLE’S PRAYERS (which implies that they have been unfaithful,
see Psalms 74:1). He has brought sorrows upon them, especially that
they have become AN OBJECT OF CONTENTION FOR their Gentile NEIGHBORS
(see Psalms 79:4). Faithful... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:8 This is the longest stanza, with its image
of God’s people as a VINE for which God has cared and provided (see
notes on Jer. 2:21; Ezekiel 15:1). The branches of this vine were to
give SHADE to everything within the borders of the Promised Land (see
Exodus 23:31), which alw... [ Continue Reading ]
PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:15 THE SON. Israel as a whole is God’s son
(see Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1).
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PSALM—NOTE ON PSALMS 80:16 The final stanza continues the vine
imagery from the previous section, describing the terrible deeds of
the Gentile invaders: THEY HAVE BURNED IT (the vine) WITH FIRE; THEY
HAVE CUT IT DOWN. For such an outrage against God’s own plant, MAY
THEY PERISH AT THE REBUKE OF YOUR... [ Continue Reading ]