Psalm 80: Save Us!

Ellen White tells us Psalm 80 was written by David.

 It is a psalm written during a time of national crisis.

David asks God to once again show favor to Israel, just as He did when He delivered the Israelites from Egyptian bondage. God is the Shepherd, and the children of Israel are His flock (v. 1). David mentions three of the twelve tribes in this psalm—Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. These three tribes descended from the same mother—Rachel, the wife of Jacob (Genesis 46:19, 20; Numbers 2:18–24; 10:22–24). Benjamin and Joseph were Rachel’s children. Ephraim and Manasseh were the children of Joseph and his Egyptian wife, Aseneth.

These specific tribes are mentioned as representative of those brought out of Egyptian bondage (Psalm 80:2, 8). It seemed God had turned His back on Israel and they on Him (v. 4). David’s common refrain, in which he changes only the name of the Lord, is “Turn us again, O God” (v. 3); “Turn us again, O God of hosts” (v. 7); “Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts” (v. 14); “Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts” (v. 19). Why was God measuring out their tears of sorrow as one would measure out a drink (v. 5)? Israel was once a vine brought out of Egypt, planted in the fertile land of Palestine (vv. 8, 9, 15). The nation had spread north to Lebanon (v. 10). It extended its boundaries from the Euphrates in the east (Joshua 1:4) to the Mediterranean in the west (Psalm 80:11). Now those borders were no longer secure, and enemies were raiding at will (v. 12). The land was being laid waste by marauders (v. 13).

The vine, representing Israel, was being cut down, piled up, and burned (v. 16). David prayed for strength and guidance to deal with this calamity (v. 17).

The people needed a revival of faith.

They needed to awaken from their stupor and praise God’s name once more (v. 18). If God would look upon them again with favor, they would be saved (v. 19).

“O Thou in whose presence my soul takes delight, / On whom in affliction I call, / My comfort by day and my song in the night, / My hope, my salvation, my all!”