Psalms 80

— into their bosom] The Arabs join together the two upper corners of their hype, a garment like the plaid of the highlanders in Scotland, and after having placed them first over one of their shoulders, they then fold the rest of it about their bodies. The outer fold serves them frequently instead of an apron, wherein they carry herbs, loaves, corn, &c. There seem to be several allusions to this in Scripture; as “rendering sevenfold into their bosom, &c.” Dr. Shaw.

Affliction hath then wrought its intended effect, when it hath convinced us of sin, and led us to repentance; when, brought back by it, like the returning prodigal, to the house and presence of our heavenly Father, we acknowledge our guilt as the cause of our misery, and entreat forgiveness of the one, in order to obtain a release from the other; not pleading our own merits, but the mercies of God our Saviour, and the glory of his name. Bp. Horne.

Psalm LXXX. The subject of this Psalm has some resemblance to the former: it contains an application to God for help under some grievous affliction; describes the former exaltation of God’s people, and their present