Psalm 80 – Divine discipline

Psalm 80 was another of Asaph’s Psalms written to the choir director and specifically addressed to Eduth. The word Shoshannim we said, when discussing Psalm 45, suggests how the song ought to be sung. It is the tune that this song is set to. Psalm 80 contains an appeal to God for the restoration of Israel. This prayer is divided into three parts, with each part followed by this refrain: “O Lord God of hosts, restore us….” This refrain is seen in verses 3-4, 7 and 19.

Verses 1-3 contain the first part of the prayer. Here God is addressed as the Shepherd of Israel, and as the Lord who was enthroned above the Ark of the Covenant. He was the One who led them in their journey. In their journey into the Promised Land, the three tribes were stationed immediately behind the Ark, in this marching order: Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. However, it was the Ark that led the journey. This is an expression of their desire for God to once again lead them. They knew that when God restored them and showed His favour there would be salvation.  

Verses 4-7 is the second part of the prayer. The author lamented asking how long will God be angry with His people. They felt the heat of God’s anger and His heavy hand upon them. Tears were their constant experience and their opponents took turns to reproach them. They became a laughing-stock to their enemies. Again the Psalmist petitioned for God’s face to shine on them and save them.

The third part of the prayer is seen in verses 8-19. Here Israel is referred to as the vine of God. A theme that the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and even Ezekiel talked about. We can read more about this theme in Isaiah 5:1-7, 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21, 12:10-11 and Ezekiel 17:5-10. Israel was God’s vine whom He graciously brought out of Egypt and planted in the Promised Land. He took care of them and cleared the enemies from the land. There they took root, flourished and eventually filled the whole land. As a nation they extended from the Mediterranean Sea to the River Euphrates. But they were rejected by God because they kept on sinning and rebelling against Him. They experienced the displeasure of God. His protective hedge over them was removed and they were bullied and taken advantage of by their enemies. The Psalmist then petitioned God to revisit them and restore them. He knew that unless God came to their rescue they would be without hope. Here He reminded God that they were His very own, and whom He had acquired for Himself. Hence they pleaded with Him to revive and restore their land. He knew that unless God’s face once again turned toward them, they would perish.  

This Psalm reminds us that while God is the Shepherd who leads us, we must never take His leadership and faithfulness for granted. Don’t expect His continual blessing when we choose to continue in the path of sin and rebellion. Unanswered prayer could often be traced to some secret indulgences that God wants us to deal with. No one can experience victory unless God’s favour is upon us, and there can be no breakthrough but for the grace of God. It can only happen when we ruthlessly deal the things in our life that are displeasing to God.