Psalm 80:4

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 80:4

O Lord God of hosts ,.... Aben Ezra and Kimchi observe, that the word "Elohe" is here understood, and the words to be read, "O Lord God, the God of hosts"; of the armies above and below, against whom there is no standing, nor any before him when he is angry: how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people ? which must be put up in a wrong manner, in a very cold and lukewarm way, without faith and love, and with wrath and doubting; or otherwise God is not angry with, nor sets... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 80:4

Verse 4 4O Jehovah, God of Hosts! God having in the Scriptures freely promised, and so often assured us, that the prayers of his people will not be disappointed, it may excite our surprise to find the faithful here alleging before him, that he continues unpacified, although they betake themselves to him. They complain not only that they are not heard, but also that he is angry, when they call upon him; as if he purposely rejected this religious service. Where, then, it may be said, is that... 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 80:3-18

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:4

O Lord God of hosts . A form of address unusual in the Psalms, but occurring in Psalms 59:5 ; Psalms 84:8 ; and below in verse 18. How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? literally, how long wilt thou smoke? (comp. Psalms 74:1 ). "Against the prayer" means "in spite of the prayer," or "notwithstanding the prayer." Ordinarily, God forgives, and ceases from his anger, as soon as the afflicted one makes earnest prayer to him. But this is not always so. A time... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 80:4

The refusal of prayer. "How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?" The sign of the anger was God's not heeding their cry. "They asked and received not, because they asked amiss." The Prophet Isaiah ( Isaiah 1:15 ) even represents God as saying to his sinful people, "When ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood." And the prophet, for himself, says ( Isaiah 59:2 ), "Your... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 80:4

O Lord God of hosts - Yahweh, God of armies. That is either(a) the God who rules among the hosts of heaven - the inhabitants of that holy world; or(b) God of the hosts of the sky - the worlds above - the stars, that seem marshalled as hosts or armies, and that are led forth each night with such order and grandeur; or(c) God of the hosts on earth - the armies that are mustered for war. The phrase is one which is often applied to God. See the notes at Psalms 24:10; and at Isaiah 1:24.How long... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 80:4-6

Psalms 80:4-6. How long wilt thou be angry, &c. Thou art so far from answering our prayers, whereby we seek thy favour, that, by thy continuing and increasing our miseries, thou seemest to be more incensed against us by them. But the words may be rendered, How long dost thou preserve thy wrath during the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears With tears instead of bread, which they either want, or cannot eat because their grief hath taken away their appetites:... read more

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