The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:1-19

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

A PSALM in which the writer entreats God to restore his favour once more to Israel, and especially to the ten tribes, who are in affliction, and in danger of perishing (Psalms 80:1, Psalms 80:2, Psalms 80:15-17). The psalm is evidently written while the temple is standing (Psalms 80:1), and while Israel still occupies the Holy Land (Psalms 80:8-15), but in a time of deep suffering, when the nation has sustained a severe blow. It probably belongs to the period immediately preceding the final captivity of the ten tribes, when the kingdom of Israel was already tottering to its fall, and the carrying off of the population had begun (2 Kings 15:29). The psalm is "Asaphian," i.e. composed by a member of the Asaphian division of the temple choir, but certainly not by Asaph. It consists of two short strophes (Psalms 80:1-3, Psalms 80:4-7) and one long one (Psalms 80:8-19), each concluded with an almost identical refrain (Psalms 80:3, Psalms 80:7, Psalms 80:19).

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commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 80:1-7He that dwelleth upon the mercy-seat, is the good Shepherd of his people. But we can neither expect the comfort of his love, nor the protection of his arm, unless we partake of his converting grace. If he is really angr…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:1-19God's redemption. "It is not a bringing back out of exile that is here prayed for, for the people are still on the soil of their own country; but in their present Feebleness they are no longer like themselves, but stand…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. The title, "Shepherd of Israel," is a new one; but it follows naturally from the metaphor, so often employed (Psalms 74:1; Psalms 77:20; Psalms 78:52; Psalms 79:13), of Israel being God's…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:1The cherubim. Who and what were they? We regard them as types of redeemed humanity, and designed to prefigure and promise that redemption. In proof, consider— I. THE VARIOUS REFERENCES TO THEM IN THE SCRIPTURES. 1. In c…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:1Throned above the cherubim-a conception of God. Prayer book Version, "Thou that sittest upon the cherubim;" Perowne, "Thou that sittest (throned above) the cherubim;" Revised Version margin, "dwellest between." It is pl…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:2God's strength needed for saving work. "Stir up thy strength, and come and save us." It is singular that three only of the twelve tribes should be mentioned; but the poet's mind was full of the wilderness associations,…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. "Ephraim" and "Manasseh" form a natural expansion of the "Joseph" of the preceding verse; but it is difficult to understand the mention of "Benjamin" here. Hengstenberg suggests…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 80:3Turn us again, O God; or, restore us—"bring us back"—i.e. bring those of us who are in exile (2 Kings 15:29) back to our country. And cause thy face to shine (comp. Numbers 6:25; Psalms 31:16; Psalms 67:1). The metaphor…Joseph S. Exell and contributors