Psalm 80

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” (v3,7,19).  Three times, the psalmist repeated this prayer, believing that God’s glory and favor would heal and rebuild Israel after the destruction of Jerusalem (v16).  Because of their own rebellion, God had turned His face away, allowing the Israelites to eat “the bread of tears” and experience the consequences of their sin (v5). But the psalmist trusted in God’s mercy; He restores the broken-hearted.

The restoring, healing presence of the Lord – the light of His face - is the only answer to our troubles.  The apostle Paul testified that God “has shone in our hearts … in the face of Jesus Christ” (II Cor 4:6).