Psalm 80 is attributed to Asaph, not David, and Derek Kidner dates it about the time of the Assyrian threat. The tone is set in the first two verses – Ps 80:1-2. This is both a prayer and a song (see the superscription). God is addressed as the Shepherd of Israel, and, Israel as a vine – Ps 80:8.
- Lament the woeful state of God’s people.
- they are miserable – Ps.80:4-6. Israel is a vine brought out of Egypt – Ps.80:8-13. The fences are broken down, and wild boars can get in and ravage the place.
- verse 4 implies that there is something radically wrong in Israel. See Ps.66:18. Pull all these things together, and we have God angry, Israel weeping, and Israel’s enemies mocking. It all points back to the sins of Israel, of God’s covenant people. Note 1 Peter 4:17.
- Isa.5:1, 7. What does Asaph do in such unpromising circumstances?
- Pray for the restoration of God’s people.
- Ps.80:3, 7, 14, 19. Asaph is looking for God to ‘restore us’ – or ‘bring us back’, says Alec Motyer. Three times too we have ‘Let Your face shine’ which is a vivid description of God’s favour (Num.6:22-26).
- three times Asaph mentions the outcome, that we may be saved.
- Look to the Messiah to come.
- the situation is disastrous – Ps.80:14-16. Israel cannot save itself, but there seems to be the promise of salvation – Ps.80:17-18. Israel is the vine; Jesus the true vine (John 15:1) The Son of God sits at the Father’s right hand (Ps.110:1; Mark 12:35-37). The Son of Man is the king in God’s kingdom (Dan.7:13-14; Mark 14:62). Jesus is saying: ‘I am that true vine; I am the Son of God; I am the Son of Man.’