80:1 O Shepherd. God is Israel’s Shepherd (Ps. 23) because He guides them and provides for them (77:20; 78:52, 71, 72; 79:13). In the ancient Near East, “shepherd” is not an unusual title for kings.

upon the cherubim. Above the ark of the covenant, in the Most Holy Place of the temple, the wings of the cherubim stretched out over God’s throne (Ex. 25:22; Num. 7:89).

shine forth. Note the allusion to the priestly benediction in Num. 6:24–26. The psalmist is calling upon God to reveal His gracious presence to them.