Psalms 80:1-19

This Ps. is an appeal to God to save His people from the adversities that have come upon them, and have made them the laughing stock of their enemies (Psalms 80:1). Their past history is recalled under the figure of a vine, once flourishing, but now wasted by wild beasts and fire (Psalms 80:8). Special prominence is given to the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin (Psalms 80:2). The Ps. was probably written at least after the fall of the northern kingdom (721 b.c., 2 Kings 17:5; 2 Kings 18:9), if not during the Babylonian exile. The Psalmist either belonged to that kingdom or had a special sympathy with it in its misfortunes. After the kingdom of Israel came to an end its rivalry with Judah was largely forgotten, and the later prophets cherished the hope of a restoration which would embrace the whole nation (Jeremiah 3:11; Jeremiah 31:1; Ezekiel 37:15).

Title.—Shoshannim-Eduth] see on Psalms 45, 60.