7.04. The Division

The Division Psalms 80:1-19 is divided into three unequal parts by the thrice repeated refrain:

Turn us again, O God; And cause thy face to shine, and we shall be saved; the first section consisting of the first three verses (Psalms 80:1-3) form the Invocation; in the second (Psa_80:4-7) Israel’s present unspeakably sad condition is graphically depicted, and used as the ground for the earnest cry for God’s interposition on their behalf; and in the last and longest section (Psa_80:8-19) the appeal to the Covenant God of the fathers is based on the ground of His former mercies to them.