Psalm 80
New Catholic Bible
Psalm 80[a]
Prayer for the Persecuted People
1 For the director.[b] According to “Lilies.” Eduth. A psalm of Asaph.
2 [c]Listen to us, O shepherd of Israel,[d]
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
As you sit enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
3 over Ephraim,[e] Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Stir up your power
and come to save us.
4 Restore us, O Lord of hosts;
let your face shine[f] upon us,
and we will be saved.
5 O Lord of hosts,[g]
how long will you be angry
at your people’s prayers?
6 You have fed them with the bread of tears
and made them drink tears beyond measure.
7 You have made us an object of contention to our neighbors,
a source of mockery to our enemies.
8 Restore us, O Lord of hosts;
let your face shine upon us,
and we will be saved.
9 [h]You brought a vine[i] out of Egypt;
you dispersed the nations and planted it.
10 You prepared the ground for it;
then it took root and filled the land.
11 The mountains were covered with its shade
and the cedars of God[j] with its shoots.
12 It sent out its boughs as far as the Sea,[k]
its shoots as far as the river.
13 [l]Why have you broken down its walls
so that all who pass by pluck its grapes?[m]
14 The boars from the forest ravage it,
and wild beasts of the field feed on it.
15 Turn once again to us, O Lord of hosts;[n]
look down from heaven and see;
take care of this vine,
16 this shoot[o] that your right hand has planted,
the son that you yourself made strong.
17 Let those who would burn it or cut it down
perish when confronted by your rebuke.
18 Let your hand rest upon the man at your right,[p]
the son of man that you yourself made strong.
19 Then we will never again turn away from you;
give us life and we will call upon your name.[q]
20 Restore us, O Lord of hosts;
let your face shine upon us,
and we will be saved.
Footnotes
- Psalm 80:1 At the time of this psalmist, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah have disappeared in turn (721 and 587 B.C.). For the time being, Israel will be nothing but a scattered flock, a ruined vineyard. Whence can restoration come if not from God?
This psalm is well adapted to our prayer during Advent: so deep is our wretchedness that we await the coming of God; he alone can turn us to himself by his presence and lead us to conversion. - Psalm 80:1 For the director: these words are thought to be a musical or liturgical notation. According to “Lilies.” Eduth: nothing is known about this phrase. Asaph: see notes on Pss 73–89.
- Psalm 80:2 God is the Shepherd of Israel (see Isa 40:11; Jer 31:10; Ezek 34:31), and Jesus will call himself the Good Shepherd (see Jn 10). This image evokes profound links between Israel and God—affectionate solicitude on one side and confident belonging on the other. Hence, those who are in distress do not address an unknown and distant God.
- Psalm 80:2 Shepherd of Israel: see Pss 74:1; 77:21; 78:52, 71f; 79:13. Joseph: see note on Ps 77:16. Cherubim: see note on Ps 18:11.
- Psalm 80:3 Ephraim and Manasseh were the two principal tribes of the northern kingdom, with which Benjamin was at times associated (see Num 2:18f). It was also in front of these three tribes that the Ark of the Covenant advanced during the sojourn from Sinai to the Promised Land (see Num 10:21-24).
- Psalm 80:4 Let your face shine: see notes on Pss 4:7; 13:2.
- Psalm 80:5 Lord of hosts: see note on Ps 59:6. How long . . . ?: see note on Ps 6:4.
- Psalm 80:9 Israel is God’s magnificent garden whose ideal limits extend as far as the Euphrates (“river” of v. 12). God is like the vinedresser who cherishes his vine/vineyard and takes pleasure in it. How could he not be saddened to see it devastated (see Isa 5:1-7; 27:2-5; Jer 2:21; 12:10)? This image will pass into the New Testament (see Mt 20:1; 21:33-41; Jn 15:1-5).
- Psalm 80:9 Vine: a familiar allegory in the Prophets (see Isa 5:1; 27:2; Jer 2:21; 12:10; Ezek 17:6-8; 19:10-14; Hos 10:1; 14:7; Mic 7:1), as is that of the shepherd (see Ps 23:1; Gen 48:15; Ezek 34:11). See also Mt 20:1; Jn 15:1.
- Psalm 80:11 Cedars of God: cedars that were so huge, they were regarded as being planted by God.
- Psalm 80:12 Sea: i.e., Mediterranean; River: i.e., Euphrates.
- Psalm 80:13 The psalmist begs God to attend once again to his wasted vine then, the people will once again praise their savior.
- Psalm 80:13 Why . . . ?: see note on Ps 6:4.
- Psalm 80:15 Lord of hosts: see note on Ps 59:6.
- Psalm 80:16 Shoot: i.e., Israel. Son: i.e., Israel. The word may also be translated as “branch.” Some versions omit verse 16b.
- Psalm 80:18 Man at your right: probably a reference to Israel, beloved son of the Lord (see Ex 4:22) or to the Davidic king who will lead the army in battle. Other suggestions put forth by scholars are Zerubbabel and Ezra, who presided over the restoration. Son of man: another word for “man” in the first half of this verse.
- Psalm 80:19 A vow to offer praise to God (see note on Ps 7:18).
