Psalm 80:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 80:1-7

The psalmist here, in the name of the church, applies to God by prayer, with reference to the present afflicted state of Israel. I. He entreats God's favour for them (Ps. 80:1, 2); that is all in all to the sanctuary when it is desolate, and is to be sought in the first place. Observe, 1. How he eyes God in his address as the Shepherd of Israel, whom he had called the sheep of his pasture (Ps. 79:13), under whose guidance and care Israel was, as the sheep are under the care and conduct of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 80:1

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel ,.... The title of a shepherd for the most part belongs to the Messiah, and who is expressly called the Shepherd and stone of Israel, as distinct from the God of Jacob, Genesis 49:24 and may be so called because he was to be, and was of Israel, according to the flesh, and sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and appointed by his Father as a Shepherd over them; and it is on the mountains of Israel he provides a good fold, and pasture for his sheep, ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 80:1

O Shepherd of Israel - The subject continued from the last verse of the preceding Psalm. Leadest Joseph - Israel and Joseph mean here the whole of the Jewish tribes; all were at this time in captivity; all had been the people of the Lord; all, no doubt, made supplication unto him now that his chastening hand was upon them; and for all the psalmist makes supplication. That dwellest between the cherubims - It was between the cherubim, over the cover of the ark, called the propitiatory... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 80:1

Verse 1 1Hearken, O Shepherd of Israel! The prophet, previous to his naming Manasseh and Ephraim, makes mention of Joseph; and why does he speak of Joseph rather than of Judah, but because it was his design to treat separately of the kingdom of Israel, the government of which was in the family and posterity of Joseph? Nor, since God sent special prophets among them, after he had stricken them with his rods, is there any inconsistency when, at the same time, the prayer is added, That God would... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:1

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. The title, "Shepherd of Israel," is a new one; but it follows naturally from the metaphor, so often employed ( Psalms 74:1 ; Psalms 77:20 ; Psalms 78:52 ; Psalms 79:13 ), of Israel being God's "flock." Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. "Thou that leddest " (Cheyne). The mention of "Joseph" shows at once that the thoughts of the psalmist are fixed on the northern kingdom. Thou that dwellest between the cherubims. The two cherubim that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:1

The cherubim. Who and what were they? We regard them as types of redeemed humanity, and designed to prefigure and promise that redemption. In proof, consider— I. THE VARIOUS REFERENCES TO THEM IN THE SCRIPTURES . 1 . In connection with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. ( Genesis 3:24 .) This passage tells but little of the nature of these exalted beings, only that they were held fit to occupy the place where only perfect righteousness could dwell.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:1

Throned above the cherubim-a conception of God. Prayer book Version, "Thou that sittest upon the cherubim;" Perowne, "Thou that sittest (throned above) the cherubim;" Revised Version margin, "dwellest between." It is plain that this psalm was composed when Israel was groaning under some foreign oppression which it was powerless to resist. It is a plaintive cry for restoration to a state which should be indicative of the Divine favour. Two periods may be mentioned as times when Palestine... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:1-19

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:1-19

God's redemption. "It is not a bringing back out of exile that is here prayed for, for the people are still on the soil of their own country; but in their present Feebleness they are no longer like themselves, but stand in need of Divine intervention, the shining forth of the hidden countenance of God, in order again to attain a condition that is in harmony with the promises." Suggests— I. GOD HAS MADE A GLORIOUS REDEMPTION POSSIBLE FOR US . ( Psalms 80:8 .) Has... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 80:1

Give ear - Incline the ear; as if the ear of God was then turned away, or as if he was inattentive to what was occurring. See the notes at Psalms 5:1. O Shepherd of Israel. See the notes at Psalms 23:1.Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock - Joseph, the father of Ephraim and Manasseh. See the notes at Psalms 78:67. The name Joseph seems here to be used poetically to represent the whole people of Israel, as he was a man so prominent in their history, and especially as Egypt is mentioned as the... read more

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