Psalms 80:4

O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? O LORD GOD OF HOSTS, HOW LONG WILT THOU BE ANGRY - literally, 'dost thou smoke?' Compare Psalms 18:8; Psalms 74:1; Deuteronomy 29:20. Smoke is the attendant of fire; the consuming fire of God's vengeance. Smoke was the symbol of prayer, and of the burnt offering which expressed self-dedication (Psalms 141:2; Revelation 5:8; Revel...

4_O Jehovah, God of Hosts! _God having in the Scriptures freely promised, and so often assured us, that the prayers of his people will not be disappointed, it may excite our surprise to find the faithful here alleging before him, that he continues unpacified, although they betake themselves to him. They complain not only that they are not heard, but also that he _is angry, _when they call upon him; as if he purposely rejected this religious service. Where, then, it may be said, is that promise recorded in Isaiah 65:24, “Before they call I will answer?” To this I would answer, That as God, by delaying to succor his people, tries their patience, the prophet, speaking according to the judgment of the flesh, represents him as deaf to their prayers. Not that it is proper for those who pray to rest in this opinion, which would throw an insuperable obstacle in their way to the throne

1-7 He that dwelleth upon the mercy-seat, is the good Shepherd of his people. But we can neither expect the comfort of his love, nor the protection of his arm, unless we partake of his converting grace. If he is really angry at the prayers of his people, it is because, although they pray, their ends are not right, or there is some secret sin indulged in them, or he will try their patience and perseverance in prayer. When God is displeased with his people, we must expect to see them in tears, and their enemies in triumph. There is no salvation but from God's favour; there is no conversion to God but by his own grace....

O LORD GOD OF HOSTS - Yahweh, God of armies. That is either (a) the God who rules among the hosts of heaven - the inhabitants of that holy world; or (b) God of the hosts of the sky - the worlds above - the stars, that seem marshalled as hosts or armies, and that are led forth each night with such order and grandeur; or (c) God of the hosts on earth - the armies that are mustered for war. The phrase is one which is often applied to God. See the notes at Psalms 24:10; and at Isaiah 1:24. HOW LONG WILT THOU BE ANGRY - Margin, as in Hebrew, wilt thou smoke. The allusion is derived from the comparison of anger with fire. See the note

EXPOSITION A PSALM in which the writer entreats God to restore his favour once more to Israel, and especially to the ten tribes, who are in affliction, and in danger of perishing (Psalms 80:1, Psalms 80:2, Psalms 80:15). The psalm is evidently written while the temple is standing (Psalms 80:1), and while Israel still occupies the Holy Land (Psalms 80:8), but in a time of deep suffering, when the nation has sustained a severe blow. It probably belongs to the period immediately preceding the final captivity of the ten tribes, whe

O LORD GOD OF HOSTS,.... Aben Ezra and Kimchi observe, that the word "Elohe" is here understood, and the words to be read, "O Lord God, the God of hosts"; of the armies above and below, against whom there is no standing, nor any before him when he is angry: HOW LONG WILT THOU BE ANGRY AGAINST THE PRAYER OF THY PEOPLE? which must be put up in a wrong manner, in a very cold and lukewarm way, without faith and love, and with wrath and doubting; or otherwise God is not angry with, nor sets himself against the prayer of his people; nor does he despise, but is highly delighted with it: or how long wilt thou be angry with thy people, and continue the tokens of thy displeasure, though they pray, and keep praying, unto thee? it is in the Hebrew text, "how long wilt thou smoke m at the prayer of thy people?" that is, cause thine anger to smoke at it; in which it is thought there is an allusion to...

Psalms 80:1. _Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved._ To whom could Israel go, in times of distress, but unto her God? It was well that her psalmists should teach her thus to pray. Notice the form of this prayer: «Come and save us. Turn us again, O God.» We cannot be saved except by being turned from the ways of sin into the path of holiness. But who shall turn us? What power can reverse the current of the human soul? As well might Niagara begin to ascend of its own accord as for man to turn to God except as God turns him. Psalms 80:4

Psalms 80 Looking to Heaven for Help Through the Man at His Right Hand _ 1. Calling to the Shepherd (Psalms 80:1)_ 2. The ruin of His inheritance (Psalms 80:5) 3. The Man of the right hand (Psalms 80:17) This Psalm continues the same theme. They call now definitely to the Shepherd, He who is enthroned in glory between the Cherubim. They ask Him to “shine forth,” to manifest Himself in glory and power for their salvation, to answer their cries for help. Three times they plead, “Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved.” Ancient Jewish comments on this verse say that the face wh

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

O LORD GOD OF HOSTS. Hebrew. _Jehovah._ Elohim Zebaioth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3. Not common in the Psalms, but occurring in Psalms 59:6 and Psalms 84:8. HOW LONG... ? Figure of speech _Erotesis._ App-6....