Psalms 80

The Psalmist bemoaneth the sad condition of the Church, in regard that the former manifold mercies of God exhibited unto her, were changed now into distresses and persecutions; praying for deliverance out of them: with promises of thankfulness.

1. For the chief song-master upon Shoshannim: [See the Annot.on Psalms 45:1.] a Testimony, [a testification, or declaration of faith in Gods gracious promises during the heavy pressure of his Church] a Psalm of ASaph: [or for Asaph, as Psalms 79:1.]

2. O Shepherd of Israel, [Compare Psal.23.1. and 48.15. Isa.40.11. Ezek.34.12,14,15. Joh.10.11. and 1 Pet. 2.25.] take to ears: [or, hearken, listen] which leadeth Joseph like sheep: [Joseph, that is the posterity of Joseph, to wit, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasse, which described from Joseph. The holy Scripture doth sometimes comprehend under the name of Joseph all the rest of the Tribes, especially the ten, in regard that Joseph was the principal and most reputed among the sons of Jacob; See Gen.49.26. Psalms 81:6.] which sitteth between the Cherubims, [or, which was wont, or (used) to sit upon the Cherubim: For after that the Chaldees had destroyed the Temple, the LORD fate no longer upon the Cherubim there; of the Cherubim see 1 Sam.4.4.] appear shining (or with lustre.) [i.e. shew us thy grace and favour by delivering us out of this long and loathsome captivity, wherein we have sat so long as in darkness.]

3. Rouze up thy might [Shew forth thy might and let it appear, which was in a manner asleep all this while] before the face of Ephraim and Benjamin, and Manasse; [i.e. for, or in the behalf of the Tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasse. These three Tribes were camped together on the west side of the Tabernacle; Num.2.17,18,20,22. And chap.10.21,22,23,24. Therefore they are both here, and 1 Chron.9.3. and elsewhere named jointly together,] and come to our deliverance.

4. O God, [This verse is repeated, v.8. and verse 20.] bring us again, [viz. To our former state and condition, or, out of our captivity and wandering into the land, whence we were carried forth; others, revive us, as Pasl.23.3.] and let thy face shine [viz. Over us; see the Annot. Num.6.on v.25,26.] so shall we be delivered.

5. O LORD, God of hosts, how long wilt thou smoak against the prayer of thy people? [i.e. be angry, rejecting our prayer in great anger; it is a similitude or comparison taken from the carriage of such as are extremely angered; see Psalms 74:1.]

6. Thou feedest them [i.e. thou feedest us. See Psa.42.4.] with tear-bread; (or bread of tears [the sence of these words is, that affliction is as common to them, as their meat and drink, and that they are visited with very great and sensible griences. Or, bread of tears, that is, bread dipped in tears, or tears in stead of bread, as Psalms 42:4.] and drenchest them with (or givest them to drink) tears out of a great measure. [The Hebrew word doth signify a certain measure of either liquid, as here, or dry wares, as it seems to be used Isa.40.12. which held three ordinary measures, though of what size or largeness be unknown.]

7. Thou hast set us for a strife (or contention) to our neighbours, [viz. The Edomites, as Psalms 79:4. and other wicked people about us; who contend with, cross and thwart us daily; or they contend and strive among themselves, who shall have the honour and advantage to subdue and ruine us] and our enemies make a mock amongt them. [viz. Of us, or with us, when they see us in straights and troubles.]

8. O God of boasts bring us again; [See above v.4. and let thy face shine, so shall we be saved.

9. Thou hast brought over a Vine [thus he calleth the Church and people of Israel, as also Isa.chap.5.1,7. Jer.2.21. Matth.21.33. Mark 12,1. Luke 10:9.] out of Egypt: hast expelled the heathen, [understand here the seven Nations of the Canaanites. See the book of Joshua and Psalms 44:3. and 78.55.] and hast planted the same [Vine, namely, Exod.15.17. Psalms 44:3.]

10. Thou hast prepared (the place) before him, [i.e. thou hast driven and thrust out the Canaanites, out the Canaanites, before their faces, Exod.23.28. Josh.24.12. see the annot.on Gen.24.31. touching the signification of the Hebrew word, which properly is, to cleanse, scoured, sweep out;] and made his roots to take rooting [to grow deep and firm in the ground] so that he hath filled the land: [viz. With his branches.]

11. The hills were covered with his shadow, [The Psalmist implieth, that the people of Israel was mightily multiplied, throughout all the land of Canaan,] and his branches were (like) the Cedar-trees of God. [mighty great and tall ones: See the annot.on Gen.13.10. Psal.36.7. you have mountains of the Lord, i.e. very great and lofty ones: or, Cedar-trees of God, do signify such as were of Gods own planting, as Psal.104.16.]

12. He [Meaning that Vine, viz. The people of God, the people of Israel] shot forth his branches unto the Sea; [viz. To the midland, or Mediterranean Sea, as Psal.72.8.] and his sprouts unto the river. [Euphrates, namely, as Psalms 72:8.]

13. Why hast thou broken through his walls, [i.e. all his Forts and strongs holds, which being broke thorough, layeth the whole land open to the prey of his enemies: See Psalms 89:4.42. and Isaiah 5:5.] so that all which pass by that way, do pluck him?

14. The Boar out of the wood [Thus he calleth the enemies and persecuters of Gods people, as Psalms 68:31. which were then especially the Assyrians and Babylonians, as we read, 2 Kings 17:6. and 25.1.] hath rooted him up: and the savage (beast) of the field hath eat him off. [Hereby may be understood the wild beasts, wherewith God threatened his people, Levit.26.22. or fierce and cruel Tyrants; as likewise are implied by the wild Boars before mentioned: see Job 24:21.]

15. O God of hoasts, turn again now, [viz. To help us after that thou hast so long with-held thine assistance from us] regard out of Heaven, and behold, and visit this Vine. [See the Annotat. Gen.21.on verse 1. And Job 5:24.]

16. And the stock (or stem) which thy right hand hath planted, and that for the Son; [Understand here the son of God: compare Psalms 2:7. Isaiah 9:5. Dan.9.17. and here below, verse 18. Others understand by the Son here, a young sprout or branch, and apply it to Israel, or the Church of God:] (whom) thou hast strengthened thee: [compare Isa.49.v.1,2,3,4,5,8. Etc. Others, sprout which thou madest great and strong for thy glory, and to enjoy the fruit thereof.]

17. She is burnt with fire, she is cut off; [That same stock or stem v.16.or, he viz. The Vine, as v.9.] They perish from the rebuke of thy Countenance: [they, viz. Thy people Israel, of whom the Text here speaketh, or all men, they must perish when so ever thou dost set once thy face against them, pronouncing thy curse upon them; see Psal.9. Annot.on v.6.]

18. Let thine hand be upon the man of thy right hand; [Understand this verse of the Son of God, the Messiah, of whom was spoken v.16. Thy hand be upon him, i.e. be with him support him, support him, and establish or maintain him in his Kingdom: See the like kind of expression, Ezra 7:6. etc. And compare Psalms 118:25. Isa.11.2,3. And 61.1. Acts 10:38. the man of thy right hand: i.e. him whom thou lovest as thy right hand: see Gen.35.18, or, the man that is thy neighbour or companion, Zach.13.7. (as being thine eternal Son) and by whom thou dost stretch forth thy power, hast created, maintainest and governest all things; John 1:3. Col.1.16. Hebr. 1.2,3. And to whom thou hast said, Sit down at my right hand, etc. Psalms 110:1. called the Son of man, Psalms 8:5. Hebr.2.6,9. And throughout all the New Testament; according as he appeared likewise Dan.7.13. by this Man, as (also by the Son of Man in the next following words) some do understand the people of Israel, which is likewise called Gods first-born, Exod.4.22.] upon the Son of Man, (whom) thou hast strengthened thee.

19. So shall we not turn back from thee: keep us alive, so shall we call on thy Name.

20. O LORD, God of hosts, bring up again; [See above v.4.] Let thy face shine [above, v.4.] so shall we be saved.