Day 157

Psalm 80

As with several of the Asaph psalms, this one is often attributed to a later Asaph or ‘the school of Asaph.’ Here not only the southern kingdom but also the northern kingdom is prayed for. Since it asks for Israel’s deliverance, it is best seen as a plea for the deliverance of the northern kingdom sometime before its fall to the Assyrian armies in 721 B.C. The shepherd/king was common in the ancient world. Asaph rightly understood that in a special and wonderful way, Yahweh was the ‘Shepherd of Israel.’ But He also dwelt between the cherubim:’ referring to the Shekinah glory above the Ark of the Covenant. ‘Restore us, O God:’ begins a refrain that is repeated three times in this psalm (vs3, 7, and 19). It expressed trust and dependence upon God, and confidence that His favour (shown by His shining face) was all that was needed for Israel’s restoration and blessing. The ‘shining face’ is a reference to the Aaronic blessing of Numbers 6:24-26.(answered ultimately in Christ.) It has the idea of God’s presence, pleasure, and favour.

Asaph’s heart poured out in sorrow before God.(v4) It is a terrible thing to sense that God is ‘angry’ and that He is ‘against the prayer’ of His people. The sorrow is deeper when it is recognized that it is the God of heavenly armies, the ‘Lord God of hosts,’ who has in some way set Himself against His people. 

Israel (read us) was not forsaken. However, there cannot be a more striking picture of Zion in captivity; bread is dipped in tears (v5); the cup filled to the brim with them. No time is free from grief and lamentation. The ‘vine’ (v8-11) is a familiar picture of Israel in the OT. Transplanted from Egypt. In Canaan, God planted it, making room by casting out the Canaanite nations. Now (v12-13) the vineyard is unprotected. This is followed by a prayer for God to take pity on His desolate vineyard (v14-16). 

Asaph concludes with a prayer for leadership.(v17-19). Perhaps Asaph had first in mind the present king of Israel, but ultimately the ‘Man of God’s Right Hand’ is Jesus Christ (Eph1:20, Heb8:1).