Psalm 80: Turn us again

Although we cannot tie this Psalm to a particular event as well as we can Psalm 79(dealing with the destruction of Jerusalem) we can see that it is another song of Asaphcomplaining of the condition of Israel. The language is more poetic and hopeful than itis in Psalm 79, and we have the additional element of prayer for the King. The idea isthat the nation will prosper in proportion to how the King prospers. The main feature of the psalm is a repeated chorus in which Asaph asks God to turn their hearts and givethem His favor.

(1) <To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph.>Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You whodwell between the cherubim, shine forth. (2) Before Ephraim andBenjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. (3)Turn us again, O God, and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved.

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The title of this Psalm we have seen before; the name means “Lily of theTestimony, or Law.” This could be a reference to trumpets, because they openedoutward like a flower, or it could be a reference to the beauty of God’s Word.

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God is invoked as Shepherd and also as the Almighty God of Glorious Presence.The reference to Joseph is meant to arouse God’s compassions, because Josephsuffered so much.

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There is also a reference to Ephraim and Manasseh, who were Joseph’s children,and Benjamin was his brother of the full blood, and so these are Rachel’s children

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 80

represented, the children of the most beloved wife. This may be another appeal tothe Lord for the sake of Jacob.

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The cherubim are the angels featured on the Ark of the Covenant.

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The cherubs (Hebrew plural =

cherubim

) are quite possibly the highest order of angelic being created. The cherubim and seraphim we may refer to as “throneangels,” for they are always intimately connected with God’s Throne or HisPresence.

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There are other orders of angel who have, we may suppose, differing spheres andranks of authority and different roles. Thus, in the New Testament we see beingssuch as thrones, dominions, principalities, powers, archangels and angels.

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The word angel simply means “messenger” but in the Bible refers to created andeternal spirits who serve the Lord. They can appear to men and can becometangible for a given purpose. Some are involved in warfare, some in worship orother functions.

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Invoking God as the One who dwells between the cherubs means to appeal toHim as the one who has manifested his glory in Israel. The

shekinah

or the glory

Psalms Bible Study Psalm 80

of God was made manifest over the Ark of the Covenant. The Psalmist prays thatGod might shine forth in His great power.

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We should always pray that our hearts be right and if not, that God wold turn ourhearts toward Him.

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For God to look at them with a shining face was, as we have seen, a sign of favor –and if God were to cause His face to shine on them they would be greatly blessed,and be delivered.

(4) O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people? (5) You feed them with the bread of tears, and give them tearsto drink in great measure. (6) You make us a strife to our neighbors andour enemies laugh among themselves. (7) Turn us again, O God of hosts,and cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved.

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God is addressed as YHWH-Elohim-Sabaoth, the Lord the God of Armies, anappeal to power in the aspect of His rulership of the angels. The angels of God areimmensely powerful, and we are told that one angel alone slew 185,000 Assyriansin a single night.

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The angels also make war in the heavenly realms and so also determine thedestinies of nations. In the Book of Daniel we read how the Prince of Persia (afallen angel, not a holy angel) withstood one of God’s angels for 21 days. He keptthis angel from delivering a message to Daniel until the Archangel Michael cameto help. Various angels are in place to help bring God’s purposes to pass in thenations.