Psalm 80

“Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (v7).  Israel had been conquered by their enemies because they had rejected God’s authority (v6), and therefore God Himself was their only hope. Israel was the vine taken out of Egypt and planted in the Promised Land by God’s grace (v8), and it had grown and prospered, yet eventually its enemies had torn down its walls and burned it (v12,16).  Only God’s favor – His shining face, v19 – could save them from destruction.

“Give us life, and we will call upon your name!” (v18).  Faced with sin’s bondage and burdens, we are helpless.  But God is willing to shine on us, revive us, and restore us.