Psalms 80 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
PSALM 80
Psa 80:1-19. Shoshannim--"Lilies" (see on Psa 45:1, title). Eduth--Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Psa 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
1-2. Joseph--for Ephraim (1Ch 7:20-29; Psa 78:67; Re 7:8), for Israel.
Shepherd--(Compare Ge 49:24).
leadest, &c.--(Psa 77:20).
dwellest ... cherubim--(Ex 25:20); the place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people (He 9:5).
shine forth--appear (Psa 50:2; 94:1).
2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
PSALM 80
Psa 80:1-19. Shoshannim--"Lilies" (see on Psa 45:1, title). Eduth--Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Psa 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
1-2. Joseph--for Ephraim (1Ch 7:20-29; Psa 78:67; Re 7:8), for Israel.
Shepherd--(Compare Ge 49:24).
leadest, &c.--(Psa 77:20).
dwellest ... cherubim--(Ex 25:20); the place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people (He 9:5).
shine forth--appear (Psa 50:2; 94:1).
3Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
3. Turn us--that is, from captivity.
thy face to shine--(Nu 6:25).
4O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
4. be angry--(Compare Margin.)
5Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
5. bread of tears--still an Eastern figure for affliction.
6Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
6. strife--object or cause of (Is 9:11). On last clause compare Psa 79:4; Eze 36:4.
7Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
8Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
8-11. brought--or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine--(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
9Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
8-11. brought--or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine--(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
10The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
8-11. brought--or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine--(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
11She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
8-11. brought--or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine--(Psa 78:47). The figure (Is 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
12Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
12. hedges--(Is 5:5).
13The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
13. The boar--may represent the ravaging Assyrian and
the wild beast--other heathen.
14Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
14-15. visit this vine--favorably (Psa 8:4).
15And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
14-15. visit this vine--favorably (Psa 8:4).
16It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
16. it--the "vine" or
they--the "people" are suffering from Thy displeasure.
17Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
17. thy hand ... upon--that is, strengthen (Ezr 7:6; 8:22).
man of ... hand--may allude to Benjamin (Ge 35:18). The terms in the latter clause correspond with those of Psa 80:15, from "and the branch," &c., literally, and confirm the exposition given above.
18So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
18. We need quickening grace (Psa 71:20; 119:25) to persevere in Thy right worship (Ge 4:26; Ro 10:11).
19Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
19. (Compare Psa 80:3, "O God"; Psa 80:7, "O God of hosts").