Psalm 80:14 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,

NIV: Return to us, God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine,

NASB: God of armies, do turn back; Look down from heaven and see, and take care of this vine,

CSB: Return, God of Armies. Look down from heaven and see; take care of this vine,

NLT: Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven’s Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight. Take care of this grapevine

KJV: Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

NKJV: Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts; Look down from heaven and see, And visit this vine

Psalm 80:14–19 appeals to God to resume His once favorable treatment of Israel. This nation is the "vine" which God brought out of slavery in Egypt and established in Canaan. Enemies have caused damage, so the psalmist asks for vengeance. The psalm ends with the refrain repeated multiple times, praying for restoration, favor, and salvation.

The psalmist calls for God's rescue during a time of defeat. The refrain "Restore us…that we may be saved" is repeated several times. The song expresses grief that the Lord has allowed Israel to suffer defeat and embarrassment. Though Israel was brought out of slavery and established in the Promised Land, it is being attacked by some force or foreign power. The psalmist appeals to God to restore His chosen people.

This is not clearly associated with a specific event, as are some other chapters in this part of the book of Psalms. Scholars have suggested the conquest of the northern kingdom, the fall of the entire nation of Israel, and harassment by foreign nations during the early days of the monarchy. An unlikely possibility is that the psalm mourns spiritual decay in the nation. The wide range of eras which might apply makes exact authorship uncertain, as well.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 11/21/2024 10:02:47 AM