For the music director; set to El Shoshannim, Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph.

“Listen, Shepherd of Israel,
Who leads Joseph like a flock;
You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, awaken Your power,
And come to save us!”

“God, restore us
And make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

A National Plea

“Lord God of armies,
How long will You be angry with the prayer of Your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears,
And You have made them drink tears in large measure.
You make us an object of contention to our neighbors,
And our enemies laugh among themselves.”

“God of armies, restore us
And make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

The Vine Out of Egypt

“You removed a vine from Egypt;
You drove out the nations and planted it.
You cleared the ground before it,
And it took deep root and filled the land.
The mountains were covered with its shadow,
And the cedars of God with its branches.”

“It was sending out its branches to the sea
And its shoots to the Euphrates River.
Why have You broken down its walls,
So that all who pass that way pick its fruit?
A boar from the forest eats it away,
And whatever moves in the field feeds on it.”

Renew and Revive Us

“God of armies, do turn back;
Look down from heaven and see, and take care of this vine,
The root which Your right hand has planted,
And the shoot which You have strengthened for Yourself.”

“It is burned with fire, it is cut down;
They perish from the rebuke of Your face.
Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand,
Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.
Then we will not turn back from You;
Revive us, and we will call upon Your name.”

“Lord God of armies, restore us;
Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

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Context and Meaning

Psalm 80 is a communal lament pleading for national restoration. Written by Asaph, it refers to Israel as God’s vine, once planted and thriving, now ravaged and broken. The psalm repeatedly cries out:
“Restore us… make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”

This is a heartfelt cry from a nation under judgment, asking God to return, see their suffering, and revive His people.

Key Themes:

1. God as Shepherd: The psalm opens with a beautiful picture of God as a caring guide over His people (v. 1).
2. Corporate Sorrow and Judgment: Israel is weeping, shamed, and scorned by its enemies (v. 4–6).
3. The Vine Metaphor: God’s people are described as a vine planted by God but now devastated (v. 8–16).
4. A Cry for a Human Leader: The “man of Your right hand” could refer to a king, or prophetically point to the Messiah (v. 17).
5. Repetition of Restoration Prayer: The refrain appears three times (v. 3, 7, 19), showing the urgency and longing for revival.

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 80 is for moments when we feel cut off, broken down, and in need of divine attention:

• God Hears National and Personal Cries: We can ask Him to see and act on behalf of the broken (Isaiah 64:1).
• His Presence Is Salvation: The shining of God’s face implies favor, presence, and blessing (Numbers 6:24–26).
• The Past Testifies to His Care: Just as He planted and grew the vine, He can restore what seems ruined (Joel 2:25).
• Jesus Is the Man at God’s Right Hand: In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the fulfillment of Israel’s hope for restoration (Hebrews 1:3).

Application

• Pray for Revival Personally and Nationally: Use Psalm 80’s refrain as a prayer for God’s face to shine on your life, your church, your nation.
• Trust the Vinekeeper: Even when the vine is ravaged, He knows how to prune and restore (John 15:1–5).
• Rest in the Intercessor: Jesus intercedes at God’s right hand—our confidence in restoration is found in Him (Romans 8:34).
• Commit to Not Turning Back: Respond to restoration with loyalty: “Then we will not turn back from You” (v. 18).

Closing Thought

Psalm 80 reminds us that when God turns His face toward us, salvation follows. Restoration is possible—not because we deserve it, but because He is merciful and faithful.
“Restore us… Make Your face shine upon us, and we will be saved.”