Israel’s pleas for full restoration

The psalmist has Christ in his view, for there is only one Shepherd of Israel. The office of shepherd is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, and was ratified by the Lord when He said, “I am the Good Shepherd.” He is also the One that sits between the cherubims (v. 1), for the mercy seat prefigured Him. The end of the psalm also reveals Him as the right hand Man of God.

In the light of this knowledge, the psalmist calls three times (vv. 3, 7, 19), that the light of His countenance shine once more upon His people. Also that the favour and love of Christ would be bestowed and bring salvation and deliverance to His people. It is by the display of Christ’s glory, power and grace in the Gospel that we are quickened and turned from our waywardness.

Pastor Jeff O’ Neil

Recommended Tune: Evan

Psalm 80

¹Hear, Isr’el’s Shepherd! like a flock
Thou that dost Joseph guide;
Shine forth, O thou that dost between
The cherubims abide.

²In Ephraim’s, and Benjamin’s
And in Manasseh’s sight,
O come for our salvation;
Stir up thy strength and might.

³Turn us again, O Lord our God,
And upon us vouchsafe
To make thy countenance to shine,
And so we shall be safe.

⁴O LORD of hosts, almighty God,
How long shall kindled be
Thy wrath against the prayer made
By thine own folk to thee?

⁵Thou tears of sorrow giv’st to them
Instead of bread to eat;
Yea, tears instead of drink thou giv’st
To them in measure great.

⁶Thou makest us a strife unto
Our neighbours round about;
Our enemies among themselves
At us do laugh and flout.

⁷Turn us again, O God of hosts,
And upon us vouchsafe
To make thy countenance to shine,
And so we shall be safe.

⁸A vine from Egypt brought thou hast,
By thine outstretched hand;
And thou the heathen out didst cast,
To plant it in their land.

⁹Before it thou a room didst make,
Where it might grow and stand;
Thou causedst it deep root to take,
And it did fill the land.

¹⁰The mountains vail’d were with its shade,
As with a covering;
Like goodly cedars were the boughs
Which out from it did spring.

¹¹Upon the one hand to the sea
Her boughs she did out send;
On th’ other side unto the flood
Her branches did extend.

¹²Why hast thou then thus broken down,
And ta’en her hedge away?
So that all passengers do pluck,
And make of her a prey.

¹³The boar who from the forest comes
Doth waste it at his pleasure;
The wild beast of the field also
Devours it out of measure.

¹⁴O God of hosts, we thee beseech,
Return now unto thine;
Look down from heav’n in love, behold,
And visit this thy vine:

¹⁵This vineyard, which thine own right hand
Hath planted us among;
And that same branch, which for thyself
Thou hast made to be strong.

¹⁶Burnt up it is with flaming fire,
It also is cut down:
They utterly are perished,
When as thy face doth frown.

¹⁷O let thy hand be still upon
The Man of thy right hand,
The Son of man, whom for thyself
Thou madest strong to stand.

¹⁸So henceforth we will not go back,
Nor turn from thee at all:
O do thou quicken us, and we
Upon thy name will call.

¹⁹Turn us again, LORD God of hosts,
And upon us vouchsafe
To make thy countenance to shine,
And so we shall be safe.