Psalms 80:4 - Exposition

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 comes when his wrath cannot be appeased—when "there is no remedy" ( 2 Chronicles 36:16 ). Evil has been persisted in too long.