Bible Study:What does Psalm chapter 80 mean?
Chapter Context
This is not clearly associated with a specific event, as are some other chapters in this part of the book of Psalms. Scholars have suggested the conquest of the northern kingdom, the fall of the entire nation of Israel, and harassment by foreign nations during the early days of the monarchy. An unlikely possibility is that the psalm mourns spiritual decay in the nation. The wide range of eras which might apply makes exact authorship uncertain, as well.
What does Psalm chapter 80 mean?
This psalm is associated with Asaph; the most famous man of that name was a servant of King David (1 Chronicles 16:5). Other psalms attached to that name (Psalm 74:1; 79:1) describe events which happened centuries later; the label "of Asaph" might refer to style instead of direct authorship. This song is labeled with the expression
susan' 'ēdut', which literally means "lily of the testimony." This may refer to a tune matching these lyrics (Psalm 60:1).
First, the psalmist prays to God by referring to various tribes. Joseph's sons (Genesis 48:3–6) were Ephraim and Manasseh, while Benjamin was Joseph's brother and one of the twelve sons of Jacob (Exodus 1:1–5). This passage uses a refrain repeated three times, asking for restoration. "Hosts" is a warlike reference to angels of heaven (1 Samuel 15:2; Psalm 46:7). To be under the Lord's favor was to have His face "shine" on them (Numbers 6:25). These ideas are combined in a plea for salvation; Israel is in a time of grief and embarrassment (Psalm 80:1–6).
God brought Israel out of slavery in Egypt. Despite the resistance of depraved Canaanite nations, the Lord successfully established the Israelites in the Promised Land. Under His influence, Israel flourished. The psalmist depicts this using the metaphor of a transplanted vine. This analogy continues by depicting the nation's current state like that of a vineyard with a broken wall. This leaves it vulnerable. The result has been damage from wild animals and thieves. These may imply attacks by enemy nations or Israel's weakness for false teachers (Psalm 80:7–13).
To restore Israel, the psalmist again prays to God as the commander of the armies of heaven: the "God of Hosts." This is a plea for God to resume His favor for Israel. It is also a call for vengeance on these enemies who have harmed God's chosen people. The psalmist vows that the people will worship God for His work on their behalf (Psalm 80:14–19).
