PSALM LXXX _A prayer for the captives_, 1-3. _A description of their miseries_, 4-7. _Israel compared to a vineyard_, 8-14. _Its desolate state, and a prayer for its restoration_, 15-19. NOTES ON PSALM LXXX The _title_: see Psalms 45:1; Psalms 60:1; Psalms 69:1, where every thing material is... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:2. _BEFORE EPHRAIM AND BENJAMIN AND MANASSEH_] It is supposed that these three tribes represent the whole, Benjamin being incorporated with Judah, Manasseh comprehending the country beyond Jordan, and Ephraim all the rest.-_Dodd_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:3. _TURN US AGAIN_] השיבנו _hashibenu, convert_ or _restore_ _us_. There are _four_ parts in this Psalm, _three_ of which end with the above words; see the _third, seventh_, and _nineteenth_ verses; and _one_ with words similar, Psalms 80:14.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:5. _THOU FEEDEST THEM WITH THE BREAD OF TEARS_] They have no peace, no comfort, nothing but continual sorrow. _IN GREAT MEASURE._] שליש _shalish, threefold_. Some think it was a certain _measure_ used by the Chaldeans, the real capacity of which is not known. others think it signifi... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:6. _THOU MAKEST US A STRIFE_] The neighbouring districts have a controversy about us; we are a subject of contention to them. A people so wonderfully preserved, and so wonderfully punished, is a mystery to them. They see in us both the _goodness_ and _severity_ of God. Or, all the ne... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:8. _THOU HAST BROUGHT A VINE OUT OF EGYPT_] This is a most elegant metaphor, and every where well supported. The same similitude is used by Isaiah, Isaiah 5:1, c. by Jeremiah, Jeremiah 2:21; by Ezekiel, Ezekiel 17:5; by Hosea, Hosea 10:1; by Joel, Joel 1:7; by Moses, Deuteronomy 32:... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:9. _THOU PREPAREDST - BEFORE IT_] 3. When the ground is properly cleared, then it is well digged and manured, and the vines are placed in the ground at proper distances, c. So when God had cast out the heathen, he caused the land to be divided by lot to the different tribes, and then... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:10. _THE HILLS WERE COVERED_] 6. The vine, carefully cultivated in a suitable soil, may be spread to any extent. In the land of Judea it formed shades under which the people not only sheltered and refreshed themselves in times of sultry heats; but it is said they even ate, drank, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:11. _SHE SENT OUT HER BOUGHS UNTO THE SEA AND HER BRANCHES_ _UNTO THE RIVER._] The Israelitish empire extended from the River _Euphrates_ on the east to the _Mediterranean Sea_ on the west, and from the same Euphrates on the north of the promised land to its farthest extent on the so... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:12. _WHY HAST THOU BROKEN DOWN_] 7. When a vineyard is planted, it is properly _fenced_ to preserve it from being trodden down, or otherwise injured by beasts, and to protect the fruit from being taken by the unprincipled passenger. So God protected Jerusalem and his temple by his ow... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:13. _THE BOAR OUT OF THE WOOD_] Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, who was a fierce and cruel sovereign. The allusion is plain. The wild _hogs_ and _buffaloes_ make sad havoc in the _fields_ of the _Hindoos_, and in their _orchards_: to keep them out, men are placed at night on covered... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:14. _RETURN - O GOD OF HOSTS_] Thou hast _abandoned_ us, and therefore our enemies have us in captivity. _Come back_ to us, and we shall again be restored. _BEHOLD, AND VISIT THIS VINE_] Consider the state of thy own people, thy own worship, thy own temple. Look down! Let thine eye... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:15. _THE VINEYARD WHICH THY RIGHT HAND HATH PLANTED_] Thy holy and pure worship, which thy Almighty power had established in this city. _AND THE BRANCH - THOU MADEST STRONG FOR THY SELF._] The original ועל בן _veal ben_, "and upon the SON whom thou hast strengthened for thyself." M... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:17. _THE MAN OF THY RIGHT HAND_] The only person who can be said to be at the right hand of God as intercessor, is JESUS the MESSIAH. Let him become our Deliverer: appoint him for this purpose, and let his strength be manifested In our weakness! By whom are the Jews to be restored, i... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:18. _SO WILL NOT WE GO BACK FROM THEE_] We shall no more become _idolaters_: and it is allowed on all hands that the Jews were never guilty of idolatry after their return from the Babylonish captivity. _QUICKEN US_] Make us _alive_, for we are nearly as good as _dead_. _WE WILL CAL... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 80:19. _TURN AS AGAIN_] Redeem us from this captivity. _O LORD GOD OF HOSTS_] Thou who hast all power in heaven and earth, the innumerable _hosts_ of both worlds being at thy command. _CAUSE THY FACE TO SHINE_] Let us know that thou art _reconciled_ to us. Let us once more enjoy thy _... [ Continue Reading ]