Psalm Chapter 80 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
4 O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Psalms Chapter 80 (Old Testament)
7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
9 Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.
11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
12 Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
Psalms Chapter 80 (Old Testament)
14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself.
16 It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
19 Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Key Takeaways from This Psalm:
Psalm 80:3
Verse: שׁוּבָה אֱלֹהִים הָחֵל לָנוּ
Transliteration: Shuva Elohim hachel lanu
English: “Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved.”
Focus Word: שׁוּב (Shuv)
- Root: ש-ו-ב (Shin-Vav-Bet)
- Meaning: “To return,” “to turn back,” “to restore.”
- Deeper Insight: Shuv highlights repentance, restoration, and divine renewal, emphasizing God’s role in bringing back blessing and favor.
Biblical Scholars On This Chapter:
| Scholar (Institution & Dates) | Work | View on Psalm 80 |
|---|---|---|
| Hugh Binning (University of Glasgow, 1627–1653) | Sermons on the Psalms | God’s vineyard imagery emphasizes care, cultivation, and the need for divine protection. |
| William Lowth (University of Oxford, 1660–1732) | Commentary on the Psalms | Restoration and revival are framed as responses to God’s mercy and covenant faithfulness. |
| Johann Albrecht Bengel (University of Tübingen, 1687–1752) | Gnomon Novi Testamenti | The Psalm illustrates God’s role as both judge and restorer of His people. |
| James Durham (St Andrews / Edinburgh, 1622–1658) | Commentary on the Psalms | Prayer for national renewal reflects dependence on God’s continual care. |
| Philip Doddridge (Northampton Academy, 1702–1751) | Family Expositor | The Psalm encourages turning to God with both lament and hope for healing. |
| Scholar & Work | View |
|---|---|
| John Calvin – Commentary on the Psalms | Calvin sees the psalmist crying for the restoration of a ravaged people. God is appealed to as Shepherd and King. The repeated refrain expresses urgent hope. |
| Matthew Henry – Exposition on the Psalms | Henry interprets the psalm as a plea for renewed divine favor after chastisement. Israel is God’s vine needing revival. Prayer rises from sorrow to expectancy. |
| Albert Barnes – Notes on the Psalms | Barnes views the psalm as a national supplication for restoration. The imagery of the vine reflects Israel’s history. Salvation is requested from the Shepherd of Israel. |
| John Morison – Practical Exposition of the Psalms | Morison sees the psalm as a touching cry for revival. The psalmist confesses national ruin. God’s shining face is the remedy. |
| William Walford – Commentary on the Psalms | Walford interprets the psalm as describing a once-flourishing people now reduced to weakness. The vine must be restored by God’s hand. Faith pleads His mercy. |
| Andrew A. Bonar – Christ and His Church in the Psalms | Bonar views the psalm spiritually as the Church’s cry for renewed life. God must revive the vine and restore His people. The refrain signals steadfast hope. |
| Joseph Parker – People’s Bible Notes | Parker reads the psalm as a call for God’s presence to shine again. Ruin is acknowledged openly. The plea for restoration is confident and persistent. |
| Thomas Dale – Exposition of the Psalms | Dale sees the psalm as marked by earnestness and sorrow. Israel appeals to God’s power and tenderness. Revival is sought from the divine Shepherd. |
| Horatius Bonar – Psalm Meditations | Bonar interprets the psalm as the longing of the Church for revival. God’s face brings life. The vine flourishes under His care. |
| Christopher Wordsworth – Commentary on the Psalms | Wordsworth sees the psalm as prophetic of the restoration of God’s people. The vine symbolizes Israel and the Church. God’s shining presence brings salvation. |
