United Commentaries

Ps.80.1-19

This psalm of lament might originate with the remnant of the northern kingdom after its fall in 722 BC. The people call on God as their Shepherd and as the God of Heaven’s Armies in the hope that he will return to them and restore them. They remember the Exodus and their special relationship with the Lord and conclude with an expression of renewed commitment to him (80:18).

Ps.80.1

title The tune “Lilies of the Covenant” is unknown today.

Ps.80.1-3

The psalmist urgently calls upon the Lord to act.

Ps.80.1-2

God is the Shepherd of Israel: See also 23:1; 28:9; 78:52-53.

radiant glory . . . power: These expressions (145:11) refer to God’s manifest presence.

Ps.80.3

This verse is repeated (with an increasing crescendo) in 80:7, 19.

Ps.80.4-7

The people cry out for rescue from the shame of their recent defeat. The enemy’s victory is less devastating, however, than the knowledge that they themselves are objects of God’s wrath.

Ps.80.8-11

Israel has a glorious past, beginning with its redemption from Egypt.

Ps.80.8-9

Israel had been a prosperous grapevine (Gen 1:28; Gal 5:22-23) that God transplanted into the land of Canaan at the time of the conquest. However, the people forgot the source of their prosperity and chose to do evil (Isa 5:1-7; Hos 10:1).

Ps.80.10-11

Solomon’s kingdom had extended west to the Mediterranean Sea and east to the Euphrates River (see 72:8-9; 89:25; 1 Kgs 4:21).

Ps.80.12

broken down our walls: God no longer defended Israel (Isa 5:5).

Ps.80.13

The surrounding nations were ceremonially unclean, like a wild boar or vicious wild animals.

Ps.80.15

Israel was the son that God had brought out of Egypt (see Hos 11:1) and planted in the Holy Land.

Ps.80.16-19

The community prays for God to change their desperate situation and restore them. They are still the Lord’s chosen people.

Ps.80.17

The son of your choice was probably the northern kingdom of Israel, although it might allude to the king of David’s dynasty (110:1).