13. sheep ... pasture--(Compare [Psa 74:1]; ).
Psalm 80
Psa 80:1-19. Shoshannim--"Lilies" (see on Psa 45:1, title). Eduth--Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Psa 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm
1-2. Joseph--for Ephraim ([1Ch 7:20-29]; [Psa 78:67]; [Re 7:8]), for Israel.
Shepherd--(Compare [Ge 49:24]).
leadest, &c.--([Psa 77:20]).
dwellest ... cherubim--([Ex 25:20]); the place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people ([He 9:5]).
shine forth--appear ([Psa 50:2]; ).
3. Turn us--that is, from captivity.
thy face to shine--([Nu 6:25]).
4. be angry--(Compare Margin.)
5. bread of tears--still an Eastern figure for affliction.
6. strife--object or cause of ([Is 9:11]). On last clause compare [Psa 79:4]; [Eze 36:4].
8-11. brought--or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine--([Psa 78:47]). The figure ([Is 16:8]) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted ([Ge 28:14]), and verified ([1Ki 4:20-25]).
12. hedges--([Is 5:5]).
13. The boar--may represent the ravaging Assyrian and
the wild beast--other heathen.
14-15. visit this vine--favorably ([Psa 8:4]).
16. it--the "vine" or
they--the "people" are suffering from Thy displeasure.
17. thy hand ... upon--that is, strengthen ([Ezr 7:6]; ).
man of ... hand--may allude to Benjamin ([Ge 35:18]). The terms in the latter clause correspond with those of [Psa 80:15], from "and the branch," &c., literally, and confirm the exposition given above.
18. We need quickening grace ([Psa 71:20]; ) to persevere in Thy right worship ([Ge 4:26]; [Ro 10:11]).
19. (Compare [Psa 80:3], "O God"; [Psa 80:7], "O God of hosts").
Psalm 81
Psa 81:1-16. Gittith--(See on Psa 8:1, title). A festal Psalm, probably for the passover (compare Mt 26:30), in which, after an exhortation to praise God, He is introduced, reminding Israel of their obligations, chiding their neglect, and depicting the happy results of obedience
1. our strength--([Psa 38:7]).
2. unites the most joyful kinds of music, vocal and instrumental.
3. the new moon--or the month.
the time appointed--(Compare [Pr 7:20]).
5. a testimony--The feasts, especially the passover, attested God's relation to His people.
Joseph--for Israel ([Psa 80:1]).
went out through--or, "over," that is, Israel in the exodus.
I heard--change of person. The writer speaks for the nation.
language--literally, "lip" ([Psa 14:1]). An aggravation or element of their distress that their oppressors were foreigners ([De 28:49]).
6. God's language alludes to the burdensome slavery of the Israelites.
7. secret place--the cloud from which He troubled the Egyptians ([Ex 14:24]).
proved thee--([Psa 7:10]; )--tested their faith by the miracle.
8. (Compare [Psa 50:7]). The reproof follows to [Psa 81:12].
if thou wilt hearken--He then propounds the terms of His covenant: they should worship Him alone, who ([Psa 81:10]) had delivered them, and would still confer all needed blessings.
11-12. They failed, and He gave them up to their own desires and hardness of heart ([De 29:18]; [Pr 1:30]; [Ro 11:25]).
13-16. Obedience would have secured all promised blessings and the subjection of foes. In this passage, "should have," "would have," &c., are better, "should" and "would" expressing God's intention at the time, that is, when they left Egypt.