Bible Commentaries
Psalms 80

Verse 1

upon Shoshannim-Eduth. The testimony relating to the Feast of the second Passover (Numbers 9:5-14 . Compare 2 Chronicles 29:25-35 ; 2 Chronicles 30:23 . The other of the two Psalmsthus called is Psalms 59:0 . See App-65 .

Verse 2

Before. A special various reading called Sevir ( App-34 ) reads "For the sons of".

Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton App-6 ), calling our attention to these three. They were descended from Rachel, and marched together in the rear (Numbers 2:18-22 ). As Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun marched in the van, the Ark (the symbol of God's presence) led them as a Shepherd (Psalms 78:13-16 , Psalms 78:52-55 .John 10:4 , John 10:5 ).

Verse 3

Turn us again. Figure of speech Cycloides ( App-6 ) governing the Structure. Compare verses: Psalms 80:7 , Psalms 80:19 . Not from captivity, but from idolatry to the true worship.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . Note the significant order: Psalms 80:3 , "O God"; Psalms 80:7 , "O God of hosts"; Psalms 80:19 , "0 Jehovah, God of hosts". This Divine order rebukes our own loose use of the Divine titles; and shows us the importance of noting their Divine use, not heeding modern hypotheses.

Verse 4

O LORD God of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah. Elohim Zebaioth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 . Not common in the Psalms, but occurring in Psalms 59:6 and Psalms 84:8 .

How long . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

Verse 6

laugh among themselves. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "have mocked at us".

Verse 7

to shine. Compare Numbers 6:25 .

Verse 8

a vine. Compare Isaiah 5:1-7 ; Isaiah 27:2-6 . Jeremiah 2:21 ; Jeremiah 12:10 . Psalms 80:11 connects Joseph and Genesis 49:22 .

heathen = nations.

Verse 10

the goodly cedars = mighty cedars. Hebrew "cedars of El". App-4 .

Verse 11

the sea: i.e. the Mediterranean.

branches = roots, or suckers.

the river: i.e. the Euphrates.

Verse 12

Why . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

Verse 13

the wood = forest. The Hebrew word for forest here ( miyya'ar) , has the letter Ayin suspended (see note on Judges 18:30 ). This is the second of four such suspended letters (the other two being Job 38:13 , Job 38:15 ). Read with this letter, the word means "forest"; without it, and with an Aleph instead, it is miyy 'a r , "river". The ancient Jewish interpreters took this suspended letter as denoting that, when innocent, Israel would be assailed only by a power weak as a river animal; but, when guilty, it would be destroyed by a power as strong as a land animal. Until the Roman power arose (whose military ensign was the "boar"), it was understood as "river" (meaning Egypt); but afterward the Septuagint, Chaldee, and Vulg, read "forest".

Verse 14

Return. Compare verses: Psalms 80:3 , Psalms 80:7 , Psalms 80:19 , and see the Structure above.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) for emphasis. Almost an Ellipsis = "[once more] look down, [once more] behold, [once more] visit".

Verse 15

And the. Supply the Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "And [protect] the".

branch = son. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "son of man", as in Psalms 80:17 .

Verse 17

upon: or over.

man. Hebrew ' i s h . App-14 .

son of man = son of Adam. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 . See note on Ezekiel 2:1 .

Verse 18

Quicken = make alive, restore, revive.

Verse 19

O LORD, &c. See note on Psalms 80:3 and Psalms 80:7 .