Psalm 80
A Prayer of Asaph for God to Restore His People
The author Asaph was the great singer and musician of David and Solomon’s era (1 Chronicles 15:17-19, 16:5-7; 2 Chronicles 29:13). 1 Chronicles 25:1 and 2 Chronicles 29:30 add that Asaph was a prophet in his musical compositions. - David Guzik
Asaph was one of David's chief musicians (1 Chronicles 6:39; 15:17,19; 16:5,7; 2 Chronicles 5:12). He was also the ancestor of a group of temple musicians (Ezekiel 2:40-41). The name might have come to represent his descendants or the musicians who followed him rather than Asaph himself. - Kevin R. Warstler and Sheri L. Klouda
We are not provided the exact circumstances that motivated the composition of this psalm. We know only that Asaph grieved the condition of his people and petitioned God to restore them to their former glory.
Again Asaph called on God to deliver and restore Israel. The nation was downtrodden and needed Yahweh’s salvation. This community lament psalm is unusual because of the figure the psalmist used to describe Israel. He pictured the nation as a grape vine (8-16). The fall of Samaria in 722 B.C. may be in view. - Thomas Constable
As with Psalm 45, Psalm 60 and Psalm 69, this psalm is set to “The Lilies.” The phrase may refer to the general beauty of the composition, to the tune, or even to a six-stringed instrument known as the Shoshannim (the literal translation of the Hebrew). As with several of the Asaph psalms, this one is often attributed to a later Asaph. - David Guzik
Restore Us
Between The Cherubim
Vs. 1 - Listen, Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim
As Asaph began his prayer for restoration, he called upon God as Israel’s “shepherd” and ruler Whose throne and dwelling place had been in the presence of His people.
Brent Kercheville notes that, in Moses’ record of God’s instruction for the construction of the ark of the covenant (Exodus 25), he indicated that God would dwell in the Jewish tabernacle and “meet” with the priests between the golden cherubim on each end of the ark. Cherubim, in the scripture, were angel-like winged creatures tasked with guarding and protecting sacred places.
Exodus 25:22-23 - Set the mercy seat on top of the ark and put the tablets of the testimony that I will give you into the ark. I will meet with you there above the mercy seat, between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the testimony
Our Enemies Mock Us
Vs. 6 - You put us at odds with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.
From Asaph’s perspective, Israel had become a joke, and God Himself had allowed growing contempt and conflict with neighboring nations. There is no confession of sin in this psalm, but Asaph does highlight the need for salvation and restoration and makes a promise that Israel will not “turn away” from God (18).
How Long?
Vs. 4 - Lord God of Armies, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
The question, “How long?” is a fairly common one in the psalms and expressed a natural desire to know when suffering would end. The question itself indicates an awareness of the merciful character of God, that He would not be angry forever (Psalm 103:9). In His righteous wrath, He would remember mercy (Habakkuk 3:2). In His perfect timing, He would rescue His beloved.
Restore
Vs. 3, 7, 19 - Restore us, Lord, God of Armies; make your face shine on us, so that we may be saved.
This begins a refrain that is repeated three times in this psalm (Psalm 80:3, 7, and 19). It expressed trust and dependence upon God, and confidence that His favor (shown by His shining face) was all that was needed for Israel’s restoration and blessing. - David Guzik
Commentators note that this repeated prayer for restoration may have served as a refrain for this song, and that the request for God’s “face” to “shine on us” would have been an extremely familiar one as a component of the Aaronic priestly blessing.
Numbers 6:22-26 - The Lord spoke to Moses: “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. You should say to them, “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.”’
Take Care of This Vine
A Vine from Egypt
Vs. 8-9 - You dug up a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared a place for it; it took root and filled the land.
Israel was like a vine transplanted from Egypt into Canaan, where it grew and spread. It covered the mountains, burst its boundaries, and reached to the Lebanon Ranges and the Euphrates River. - Don Fleming
The figure of a vine to represent Israel is very old. It probably originated in Jacob’s blessing of Joseph (Genesis 49:22). The prophets used it often (cf. Isaiah 5:1-7; Isaiah 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21; Jeremiah 12:10; Ezekiel 15; Ezekiel 19:10-14; Hosea 10:1). The Lord Jesus also used it to describe Himself, the ideal Israel (John 15:1; John 15:5). It is an appropriate figure because a vine is a source of blessing to others (cf. Genesis 12:3). - Thomas Constable
Cut Down And Burned
Vs. 12-13 - Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its fruit? Boars from the forest tear at it and creatures of the field feed on it.
Vs. 16 - It was cut down and burned
The protection of the vine has been broken and now the vine is being plucked of its fruit. This image is a picture of the nations stripping Israel of its wealth and power. Therefore, the psalmist calls out to God to see what the nations are doing and to watch over the vine again. - Brent Kercheville
The Son of Man
Vs. 15 - the root your right hand planted, the son that you made strong for yourself.
Vs. 17 - Let your hand be with the man at your right hand, with the son of man you have made strong for yourself.
The term "son" is a literal rendering of the Hebrew word that metaphorically means branch. It describes the new growth on the vine, the new generation of Israelites. - Thomas Constable
Asaph pictured Israel as both a grape vine and a human son here as he recalled how God had prospered and strengthened His people in former times.
We Will Call on Your Name
Vs. 18 - Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
The psalm ends with vow to faithfulness. If God restored His people, they would not “turn away” from Him again.
