Seventh-day Adventist Bible CommentaryPsalms 80

Give ear. See on Ps. 20:1; 55:1. Shepherd of Israel. Israel is God’s flock (see on Ps. 23:1–4; cf. Ps. 74:1; 77:20; Ps. 78:52; 49:24). Cherubims.Rather “cherubim” (see on Ps. 18:10). “Cherubims” is really a double plural, formed by affixing s, the sign of the English plural, to im, the sign of the Hebrew plural. For the cherubim on the ark, see on Ex. 25:18.

Ephraim. The three tribes here mentioned were descendants of the same mother (see Gen. 46:19, 20; Num. 2:18–24; 10:22–24).

Turn us again. A refrain appearing in varied augmented forms in vs. 7, 14, and 19. God. Heb. ’Elohim. The refrains in vs. 7 and 14 have ’Elohim ṣeba’oth, “God of hosts” (see on Ps. 24:10; (see Vol. I, pp. 170–173). Thy face to shine. See Ps. 4:6; 67:1.

Lord God of hosts. See on Ps. 24:10; cf. 59:5; 80:19; 84:8. Against the prayer. God seemed to be angry even when His people pray (see Lam. 3:44.

In great measure. God seemed to measure out their sorrow as one measures out a drink for another. For a Ugaritic parallel see on Ps. 42:3.

God of hosts. The refrain is augmented from “O God” to “O God of hosts,” perhaps in an attempt to show deeper earnestness (see on v. 4).

Thou hast brought. The psalmist now describes Israel as it was and as it is now, under the figure of a vine. The description is carried out with great beauty and pathos (vs. 8–19). Vine. Employed frequently as a figure of Israel (see Isa. 5:1–7; Hosea 10:1; DA 675). At the entrance to the Temple in Jesus’ time a vine wrought of gold and silver represented Israel as a fruitful and flourishing vine (see DA 575; cf. John 15:1–5). Hast cast out. God dispossessed the nations of Palestine for their sin and permitted Israel to inherit their lands (see Ex. 3:8; 33:2).

Preparedst. Heb. panah, here suggesting the idea “to clear.” God’s loving solicitude is clearly portrayed. Filled. The extent of Israel’s domain is represented by a luxuriant vine spreading over a vast area.

Goodly cedars. The supplied words, “were like,” are better left out. The passage is more simply translated, “the goodly cedars were covered with their branches.” The psalmist pictures the boundaries of Israel extending north to Lebanon.

Sea. The Mediterranean, to the west. River. The Euphrates, the eastern boundary (see Joshua 1:4; see on 1 Kings 4:21).

Hedges. See Isa. 5:5. It seemed that God had left Israel’s frontiers unprotected.

Waste. As wild animals, like the fierce wild hog, the lion, the tiger, the wolf, ruin the vineyard, so Israel’s enemies lay waste the land.

God of hosts. See on v. 4. Heaven. God’s dwelling place (see 1 Kings 8:30, 34, 36, 39, 43, etc.). Visit. Not in wrath, but in mercy.

Burned. This verse describes the desolate condition of the vineyard, as if ruined by fire and ax.

Quicken us. That is, bring us to life. Call upon thy name. That is, worship Thee. The psalmist speaks for the nation. If the church would keep its vows, how soon God’s work on earth might be done.

Lord God of hosts. See on v. 4. The psalm closes with the refrain in its most complete form.