Psalm 80:3

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 80:3

Turn us again, O God ,.... From our captivity, as the Targum, into our own land; or return us backsliding sinners to thyself by repentance; turn us, and we shall be turned; for the prayer shows it was not in their power, but must be effected by the grace of God; or restore our souls, which have been wandering, and them to their former flourishing and comfortable condition: and cause thy face to shine ; grant thy gracious presence, lift up the light of thy countenance; favour with the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 80:3

Turn us again - השיבנו hashibenu , convert or restore us. There are four parts in this Psalm, three of which end with the above words; see the third, seventh, and nineteenth verses; and one with words similar, Psalm 80:14 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 80:3

Verse 3 3Turn us again, O God! The meaning of this prayer is, Restore us to our former state. They had petitioned, in the preceding verse, that God would stir up his strength in the sight of Ephraim and Manasseh; and now they complain that they are but castaways until God succor them, and remedy their miserable dispersion. Some understand the words, turn us again, in a different way; namely, as a prayer that God would bestow upon them the spirit of regeneration. But this interpretation being... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:3

Turn us again, O God ; or, restore us— "bring us back"— i.e. bring those of us who are in exile ( 2 Kings 15:29 ) back to our country. And cause thy face to shine (comp. Numbers 6:25 ; Psalms 31:16 ; Psalms 67:1 ). The metaphor scarcely needs explanation. And we shall be saved. If thou lookest upon us with favour, our salvation is assured. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:3

Real salvation. 1 . Three times is this prayer repeated, but with slight, though noticeable, difference. Here, in its first utterance, it is addressed only to God. But the second time ( Psalms 80:7 ) it calls on God as "God of hosts." The eye of faith saw the ministers of God's power around him, the hosts of the holy angels who waited to do his will. Then the third time ( Psalms 80:19 ) it is the "Lord God of hosts" on whom he calls, making mention of the covenant name by which God... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:3

The turnings and returnings of God. "Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine." The expression, "turn us," seems to have been used in the prayers of the captives in Babylon; they are represented as saying, "Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south!" The exiles are not praying for repentance, but for a change in their circumstances—a change in the evident relations of God to them. Their captivity seemed to them God's turning them away from him. What they asked... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:3-18

A cry of weakness, a prayer of faith, "Turn us … we shall be turned." The life of the individual, of the Church, of the nation, depends not on means, methods, forms, institutions. With God is the fountain of life. These words are a cry of weakness, helplessness, humiliation; but also a prayer of faith, hope, joyful expectancy. I. A CONFESSION OF WEAKNESS , DANGER , SIN . 1 . In ordinary affairs a sense of weakness, helplessness, despondency, is the forerunner of failure,... read more

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