Psalm 80:1-19
Restore Us, O God
Read the passage
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.
3Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?
5You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.
6You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us.
7Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
8You uprooted a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and transplanted it.
9You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.
10The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.
11It sent out its branches to the Sea, and its shoots toward the River.
12Why have You broken down its walls, so that all who pass by pick its fruit?
13The boar from the forest ravages it, and the creatures of the field feed upon it.
14Return, O God of Hosts, we pray! Look down from heaven and see! Attend to this vine—
15the root Your right hand has planted, the son You have raised up for Yourself.
16Your vine has been cut down and burned; they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.
17Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand, on the son of man You have raised up for Yourself.
18Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call on Your name.
19Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
Berean Standard Bible
Read aloud
The community calls on the Shepherd of Israel to hear and shine forth. They ask God to stir up His might and save them. Their repeated prayer is simple: restore us, O God, and let Your face shine, that we may be saved.
Israel is pictured as a vine brought from Egypt. God drove out nations, cleared the ground, and planted it. The vine filled the land, but its walls are broken and passersby strip its fruit. The people ask why God has broken down the hedge and left the vine exposed.
They ask God to return and attend to the vine His right hand planted. They pray for His hand to rest on the man at His right hand, whom He raised up for Himself. If God revives them, they will call on His name and not turn away. Three times the plea for restoration returns, seeking the favor and salvation only He can give.
Questions
1 What does the community call God?
AnswerThey call Him the Shepherd of Israel and ask Him to hear, shine, and save.
2 How is Israel pictured?
AnswerIsrael is pictured as a vine God brought from Egypt, planted, and spread through the land.
3 What has happened to the vine?
AnswerIts walls have been broken, so passersby and wild animals damage and consume its fruit.
4 What prayer is repeated?
Answer“Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.”
What This Means for Us
Remembering a community’s strong past can make its present weakness painful. The vine image lets us bring both to God: gratitude for what He planted and grief over what is now damaged. Ask Him to attend to the people He has cared for.
“Revive us, and we will call on Your name” asks for more than stronger defenses. We need God to renew our trust and worship. Pray for that renewal in your family and church, and welcome the correction that returning to Him may require.
Prayer
Shepherd of Israel, see communities whose walls have fallen and whose people are exposed. Return with mercy, strengthen what is weak, and let Your face shine on those longing for restoration. Amen.
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