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Lutheran reading notes

In Psalms chapter 80, the wisdom literature continues to explore prayer, worship, lament, praise, and trust in God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.

Theme: Wisdom, prayer, and faithful living Key people: Wise figures Key place: Israel Liturgical use: Wisdom lections
1 [To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph.] Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest {between} the cherubims, shine forth. {of: or, for}
Psalms 80:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come {and} save us. {come...: Heb. come for salvation to us}
Psalms 80:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3 Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalms 80:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4 O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? {be...: Heb. smoke}
Psalms 80:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Psalms 80:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
Psalms 80:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7 Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalms 80:7 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
8 Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.
Psalms 80:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9 Thou preparedst {room} before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.
Psalms 80:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10 The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof {were like} the goodly cedars. {goodly...: Heb. cedars of God}
Psalms 80:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11 She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river.
Psalms 80:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12 Why hast thou {then} broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
Psalms 80:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13 The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it.
Psalms 80:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14 Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;
Psalms 80:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15 And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch {that} thou madest strong for thyself.
Psalms 80:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16 {It is} burned with fire, {it is} cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
Psalms 80:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man {whom} thou madest strong for thyself.
Psalms 80:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18 So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name.
Psalms 80:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19 Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.
Psalms 80:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.