January 18th
THE PSALMS
Psalm 79-83
Psalm 80
Psalm 80
Turn us again to yourself, O God. Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved.
Psalm 80:3, New Living Translation
Theme: Restore us.
Background: Asaph’s two metaphors for Israel: a flock (vs 1-7) a vine (vs 8-14).
80:3 “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”
Like wandering sheep, we too were lost (Isa 53:6). Three times (vs 3,7,19) the writer calls on God to restore His people. In our case He sent the “fine shepherd” to track us down and carry us home. This recovery work involves initial repentance and belief in Jesus as our sin substitute, whereupon God’s face is constantly turned towards us with His grace (Num 6:22-27; 1 John 1:9).80:13 “The boar from the forest ravages it”
Aggressive enemies like Assyria, Babylon, and Rome trampled upon the luxuriant vine, Israel. Also, consider the persecutions which have ravaged the Christian church throughout the centuries. As of 2020, every day eight or more Christians worldwide are killed because of their faith, every week 180 Christian buildings are attacked, and every month over 300 Christians are imprisoned unjustly. Moslems converting to Christianity face shunning, or being placed in psychiatric hospitals, and in some cases death.80:17 “But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!”
The “son of man” is a reference to Israel (Exod 4:22). Yet, in a secondary sense, the “son of man” may allude to the Davidic dynasty extending to the Messiah, God’s right-hand man. He is our real hope not membership in a religious organisation (Matt 12:21).______________________________
A work that has little opposition is doing little work for the Lord.
A work that has little opposition is doing little work for the Lord.
