Psalms 80

It is not recorded by whom this Psalm was composed, 1 nor upon what occasion. But there is little question it was a pious meditation of David (of whose spirit it savours), and, as we may guess, upon occasion of some special benefit received from God (though not particularly mentioned); which makes him call it (ver. 3.) a new song. (Of which see more, Psal.cxlix.) Wherein lie desires all the faithful to join with him in joyful praises of the Lord; considering his excellent nature, and his admirablo works, both of creation and providence; especially over good men, who piously trust in him, and expect all’ good from him; and therefore ought to think themselves blessed that they havo relation to him. let thy tender compassion prevail with thee, to save us from utter ruin, which is very near; so few, so broken and spent we are, unless seasonably prevented by thy mercy. To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim-eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. ARGUMENT.^ This Psalm is something of kin to,the former; deprecating the displeasure of the Almighty in a time of great calamity. Which, as all that I have met withal think, was either in the captivity of Judah and Benjamin by Nebuchadpezzar; or of the ten tribes by Shalmaneser. But it seems to me rather to have been penned between these two, in the tune ofllezekiah: who.had wrote a letter you find (2 yhron. xxxi. 6.) to the remnant that were escaped out of the hand of thejking* of Assyria; especially to Epbraim and Manasseh, the tribes nearest to them, that they would come to the house of the Lprd at Jerusalem, and keep the Passover with them: which summons several of them obeyed; (ver. 11. 18.) and kept the feast as long again as they were wont, (ver. 23.) And when this was finished, they all went through, the country, and threw down all the high places and altars. that they found: not only in Judah, but in Benjamin also, Ephraim, and Manasseh, (2 Chron. xxxi. 1.) But after this happy settlement, you read there, (xxxii.l.) that the land was invaded by Sennacherib, and sorely distressed; to the great discouragement, no, doubt, of those who had joined in the reformation: which moved Asaph (mentioned 2 Chron. xxix. 30. see the Argument of Psal. lxxiii.) most earnestly to beseech God (ver. 2.. of this Psalm), that he would be pleased to stir up himself before Ephraim and Manasseh, as well as Benjamin (who was so linked to Judah, that part of Jerusalem and of the temple stood in that tribe); and let them see, by a remarkable deliverance, that their zeal for the purity, of their religion was acceptable to him. Another reason, indeed, there may be given (which I have, not omitted in my Paraphrase) why these three are joined together, rather than any other, because they, were thetribes (as we read in the second of Numbers), who, when they were in the wilderness, always marched behind the - tabernacle when it moved; and had that part where the propitiatory was, from whence God sent his oracles, and the tokens of his power, just before them. But then there is this to be added, to make it probable that this Psalm was not penned in the time of the captivity, because, as then thero was no ark; nor did God sit be* tween the cherubims (concerning which phrase the learned reader may see. Lud. de Dieu upon 1 Sam. iv. 4.) as he is said here to do; nor were Ephraim and Manasseh then mixed with them, that we read of: so, first of all, it is too full of elegancies for that time^of utter desolation; and, secondly, the Greek expressly calls it, A Psalm concerning the Assyrian; (who is the.wtfd! boar, I suppose, that broke into God’s vineyard, mentioned ver. 13.) and lastly, Hezekiah, I observe, applies himself to God (in the time of that distress by. the king of Assyria), in the very. language of the Psalmist; and begins his prayer. just as Asaph doth here,, to him that sits between the cherubims, desiring him to incline his ear to his requests, (2 Kings xh£. 15, 16. Isa. xxxvii. 16, 17.) It was delivered to the chief master of music, to be sung as the sixtieth Psalm, upon the instruments of six strings: which were wont to be used in solemn thanksgivings (see the Argument of that Psalm); for he nothing doubted God would hear their. prayers, and destroy Sennacherib:. or, perhaps, it was ordered afterward to be sung in that manner., in the like distress; but shew that thou favourest us/by some illustrious token of thy presence among us, in thy holy place, from whence thou canst send angels to defend and deliver us, (2 Kings xix. 35.)

Psalms 80:1

JtCEJOICEin the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise is comely for the upright. Bless the Lord with joyful hearts, triumph in his praise, all ye that are just and good: for nothing is more becoming them that sincerely do the will of God, than to praise him, from whom they have received, and hope, for so many benefits; and nothing is more desired than to have your hearts perpetually filled with delightful thoughts of him. •. * XjrIVEear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou thatleadest Joseph like a flock;’thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.] O thou, who art the ruler and protector of thy people Israel, who didst long ago give a famous instance of thy power, in preserving Joseph, when he fell, like an innocent lamb, among a company of wolves, (Gen. xxxvii. 18, 8lc.) and conducting him to the highest.preferment; reject not our humble petitions, which we put up unto thee

Psalms 80:2

Praise the Lord with harp; sing unto him with the psaltery, and an instrument of ten strings. Extol therefore his glorious perfections in psalms and hymns, composed in praise of him: and let all the instruments of mu-’ sic accompany the voices, to express and excite your joy in him. Before Epkraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up thy strength, and come and save its.] Let the posterity of Joseph, who beheld heretofore so many enemies fall before thee, when they attended upon the ark of thy presence in the wilderness, (Numb. ii. 18. 20. 22.) and have lately been very zealous in thy service, (2 Chron. xxxVl. xxxi. 1.) see thy power to be as great as ever (though for some time it hath not appeared at all for us): and that thou art’ as forward, in due time, to grant us a glorious deliverance.

Psalms 80:3

Sing unto him a new song, play skilfully with a loud noise. Let not the ancient songs of praise suffice you, but indite a new hymn, to testify your singular love and gratitude to him: employ your best skill to make the sweetest music; and sing as cheerfully as you are wont to do at your most solemn feasts. Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.] Restore us, O God, to our former happiness; and for that end restore us into thy favour: and then there will soon be an end of our calamities.

Psalms 80:4

For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. For the Lord hath graciously revealed his will unto you, and shewn you the right way, in which, if ) r ou walk, you cannot miss of being happy: and whatever ho doeth, hath the same scope with what he saith; for in all that befals you, he faithfully designs your good. O Lord God of hosts, hoiv long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?] For what can the greatest armies (2 Kings xviii. 17.) do against thee, who art the supreme Lord of all, the absolute commander of the hosts of heaven? whose help we have most importunately implored, and long waited for, as men impatient to see our enemies so prevalent; though hitherto thou hast been so exceeding angry with us, that thou hast not heard the prayers of thy people.

Psalms 80:5

He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. Let this therefore be part of your song, The Lord governs the world with perfoct justice and equity; these he loves, and in these he delights: his goodness and mercy also are so conspicuous, that we can look no where but we see innumerable proofs of bis bounty towards us; which spreads itself over the face of the whole earth.. Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.] But hast turned our joyful feasts unto fasting and weeping; and our plenty into scarcity of all things, but only of tears: which we pour out in large measure; when we think of the danger we are in, to perish by famine and by thirst, (2 Chron. xxxii. 21.)

Psalms 80:6

By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. And who can doubt of the greatness* of his power, when ho boholds the spacious heavens; with the sun, moon, and all the stars, which are placed there like an army in excellent order; and considers that all these he made with the same ease that we speak a word, only by commanding them to be? TIiou makest its a strife unto our neighbours; and our enemies laugh among themselves.] Our neighbours, the Edomites and others, either pick quarrels with us, or strive among themselves who shall make the greatest booty of us: while our enemies, that besiege us, mock at our inability to help ourselves; and at our confidence which we place in thee, (2 Kings xviii. 22, 23. 2 Chron. xxxii. 15.)

Psalms 80:7

He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap; he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Nay, the earth itself declares how mighty he is: for when it lay covered with the waters,, being far heavier than they, he commanded it to appear, (Gen. i. 9, 10.) and, cutting a deep channel for them, he laid them up there as in cellars; where they swell and rise up in round heaps, higher than the shore, but cannot overflow the earth. Ver. S. Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.] Let all mankind, therefore, in whatsoever part of the world they dwell, dread this almighty Lord: let them not dare to disobey him, who thus tarried even tho raging sea. Turn zts’ again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we sJiall be saved?] Convince them, O Lord, that it is not vainly placed, by restoring us again to our former happiness: which it is easy for thee to do, who hast all the hosts of heaven at thy command; if thou wilt but be pleased to favour us (as we again beseech thec thou wilt), and then no harm shall befal us.

Psalms 80:8

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt; thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. We were once very dear unto thec, when thou didst transplant us, like a choice vine, out of Egypt into this country: from whence thou didst drive out the ancient inhabitants, that wc might be settled in their place.

Psalms 80:9

For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. For as then he did but signify his pleasure,’ and the thing was done, and remained fixed and firm according to his appoiutment: so, whatsoever he will have now to be done (whether for a blessing on those that sub- Digiiized by Microsoft ® PSALM XXXIII.] THE BOOK OF PSALMS. mit to him, or a punishment of the disobedient), it shall certainly come to pass; and none can resist or alter his orders. Ver. 101 The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.] Let men lay their designs never so deep, let whole nations combine together, and in their gravest assemblies consult how to compass their ends; the Lord (such is his wisdom, as well as his power) easily disappoints them all:. and makes the most likely contrivances, which oppose his will, to be in vain and without success. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of ihy name; and deliver us, and purge away onr sins, for thy name’s sake.] Send us that seasonable help, O God, from whom alone we expect it, and have heretofore very often received it; for it will tend much to the honour of thy almighty goodness (which in former times was much celebrated, but of late hath been exceedingly disparaged) to $ave us now, when none is able to preserve us: upon that account be pleased to pass by our sins, and to interpose for our deliverance; lest thou suffer together with us. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and itfdled the land.] Thou preparedst the way for us, making our terror fall upon them before wo came, (Josh. ii. 9 — 11.) so that we easily expelledthem; and being there firmly established, like a vine deeply rooted in a fruitful soil, we increased and multiplied, till we peopled all the land.

Psalms 80:10

Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is their God? let him be known among the heathen in our sight, by the revenging of the blood of thy servants which is shed. While the idolatrous nations utter this insolent language (which is exceeding grievous, nay, insupportable, to us), If their God be so great in himself, and so kind to them, as they pretend; why doth he not take their part, and appear for their deliverance? O that thou wouldest put them to silence, by taking such an open and remarkable vengeance on these blasphemous nations for the blood they have shed; that not only we, but all the world, may see, ^thou hast a care of us thy.^ervants. The hills were covered with 1 the shadow of it, and the bouglts thereof were like tlie goodhj cedars.] And as a rich vine cover’s the hill, on the side of which it is planted, or overtops the lofty cedars, which support it: so we obscured the splendour of the greatest kingdoms, and made mighty kings become tributaries to us, (1 Kings iv. 24.)

Psalms 80:11

Hie counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. Whereas that which he resolves none can defeat; but shall certainly obtain its effect. One generation passes away, and another comes in its stead; but his purposes are still immoveably the same, and can no more in future ages than now be overthrown. Ven 12. Blessed is the nation tvhose God is the Lord; and the people tvhom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.] Most happy then is that nation which worships this Lord, the creator of heaven and earth: unspeakably happy are they who live under the care of so just, so good, so powerful, and wise a being, find are so highly in his favour, that he hath chosen them (though all mankind be his) to be a peculiar people to himself*, among whom, in a special manner, he will reside, and hath engaged himself by a gracious covenant to do them good. Let the sighing of the prisoner come before thee.; according to the greatness of thy power preserve thou those that are appointed to die.] Let the sighs and groans of those who lie in prison be as prevalent with thee as these prayers: and magnify thy power by preserving the lives of those whom they have condemned to die. She sent out her’bouglis unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.] For our empire extended itself (just like such a luxuriant vine, which spreads its branches every way) from. the Midland Sea to the river Euphrates, 1 Kings iv. 21. (See Psal. lxxii. 8.)

Psalms 80:12

And render unto our neighbours sevenfold into their bosom their reproach, wherewith they have reproached thee, O Lord. And when thou hast done with the Babylonians, reckon with our neighbours also, who have insulted over us, and derided us, or rather have spoken so reproachfully of thee, O God, that they justly deserve, not only to be paid home in their kind, but to be made seven times more contemptible than we have been. Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?] Bu$ now, alas! thou hast withdrawn thy protection from us; and we are left like a vineyard without its hedges: all our strong holds arid fenced cities are taken; (2 Kings xviii. 3.) so that we lie open to be made a prey to every one that hath a mind to spoil us.'

Psalms 80:13

The Lord looketh from heaven: he beholdeth all the sons of men. How careful ought they to be to please him, and approve their very hearts unto him! for though he be in heaven, as the place of his most special and most glorious presence, yet there is not a man upon earth but he sees and observes him. So we thy people, and sheep of thy pasture, will give thee thanks for ever; we will shew forth thy praise to all generations.] So we thy people, being conducted again to our land, and happily restored to live under thy government there, will never cease to give thanks unto thee, for thy benefits bestowed upon us: and be careful to transmit the memory of them to those who shall come after us, that all future generations may perpetuate thy praises. The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.] The Assyrian kiiig, like a wild boar, that breaks into a vineyard, treads down all under his feet, and seeks to root us up: there is no savage beast can make greater havoc among the vines, than his barbarous soldiers have done throughout all the land; which they have eaten up, (2 Kings xix. 29.)

Psalms 80:14

From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. They are all exposed to his view; and from thence he takes a strict and exact account, not only of all their open actions, but of their most secret designs and contrivances. Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts; took dtiwk from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine.] Our only hope is, that thou, the great Lord* of hosts, on whom the event of wars, as of all things else, depends, wilt be reconciled unto us, and drive him out again; deny us not this request, we beseech thee; but, though we be destitute of all help on earth, yet send us some from heaven; and, though ver y unworthy, yet graciously take us into thy care, and repair the breaches which they havelnade.

Psalms 80:15

He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works. For they are every one of them, without exception, his creatures: and as he is equally the former of them all, so he formed their souls as well as their bodies; and therefore must needs see into their* very hearts, and be perfectly acquainted with every one of their thoughts. Ver. 1G. There is no king saved by the multitude of a host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.] And to him a king is no more than another man; but if he sees that he regards not his majesty, nor depends upon him, he will make him find, that it is not in the power of the greatest army he can raise to secure and defend him: nor shall the mightiest and most valiant man in that army be able to deliver so much as himself, though he hath a giant-like strength. And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself] Be favourable to the remnant of us, which, by thy powerful preservation, is still left; like the root or stock of a vine, which may sprout out again: (2 Kings xix. 30, 31.) and especially to our king, whom thou hast endued with zeal and courageous resolution for thy service (2 Chron. xxx. 32.) and for our defence (xxxii. 6- — 8.)

Psalms 80:16

It is burnt with fire; it is cut down: they’perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. Great numbers of us are destroyed already, and may be compared to the numerous branches of that remaining stock, which, being cut off, are burnt with fire: and all the rest of us must perish, if thbu wilt not be reconciled unto us, but still persevere in thy anger towards us.

Psalms 80:17

A horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength. Though he should be mounted upon the stoutest horse (which is a. most warlike creature), he will but deceive himself, if he rely either upon his courage, or his strength, or his agility, or his swiftness, for preservation. Let thy hand be upon the Man of thy right hand, upon the Son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself] Which we beseech thee turn away; and be tha mighty helper of our sovereign, who is dearly beloved by thee; of that excellent prince, whom thou hast endued with zeal and courageous resolution, for thy service, and for our defence and preservation, (ver.’ 15.)

Psalms 80:18

Behold, lite eye of the Lord is upon thetn that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy. It is the Lord only from whom comes salvation; and he hath regard to none but those that fear to offend his majesty, and, placing their confidence and hope in his love, more than all human force, lookup to’him for safety. Over such he will watch with a very careful providence. So will not we go back from thee: quicken its, and we will call upon thy name.] Which shall be an everlasting obligation upon us, never to revolt from thee to our former idolatry: do but free us from these deadly enemies and we will worship thec alone; and never cease to praise thee, and acknowledge that we owe our very lives to thy almighty goodness. *

Psalms 80:19

To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. To rescue them when they are in danger by the sword or the plague; and to supply their necessities in time of scarcity and dearth. Turn us again, OLord God of hosts, cause thy

Our soul tvaiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. What shall we do therefore in all straits, but desire him to take care of us? For this is our peculiar privilege, that we may confidently expect and wait for his seasonable relief, who is our only helper and defender, i

For our heart shall rejoice in him; becatise we have trusted in his holy name. For we may be sure he will not fail our expectations, but at thelastfill our hearts with joy, as a reward of the pious trust we have reposed in him; whose unspotted purity and faithfulness shall be ever famed.

Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon ns, according asive hope in thee. O Lord,* thou seestwe depend upon thee alone, and have placed all our hope, all our comfort and contentment, in thy care and good providence over us: let us prosper accordingly; dealwi(h us according as we trust in thee, and not in any strength, wisdom, or contrivance, of our own,':