Psalm 80

“Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved” (3). The psalmist called on “the Shepherd of Israel” who is also the mighty Creator “enthroned between the cherubim” to come and save his people. “Make your face shine on us”, the psalmist prayed, meaning, turn your full, loving attention on us (14). The Israelites felt they had lost God’s protection due to their sin (4,12-13), and they were exhausted by “the bread of tears” (4-6). They needed to be restored to fellowship with their Shepherd.

“Revive us, and we will call on your name” (18). Like a fragile vine (16), when we are bruised and battered, the Lord’s tender care restores us.