2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, let your strength be awake from sleep, and come as our salvation.
On the west side will be the flag of the children of Ephraim, with Elishama, the son of Ammihud, as their chief. The number of his army was forty thousand, five hundred. And by him the tribe of Manasseh with Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, as their chief. The number of his army was thirty-two thousand, two hundred. Then the tribe of Benjamin, with Abidan, the son of Gideoni, as their chief. The number of his army was thirty-five thousand, four hundred. The number of all the armies of Ephraim was a hundred and eight thousand, one hundred. They go forward third.
Then the flag of the children of Ephraim went forward with their armies: and at the head of his army was Elishama, the son of Ammihud. At the head of the army of the children of Manasseh was Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur. At the head of the army of the children of Benjamin was Abidan, the son of Gideoni.
Why are you sleeping, O Lord? awake! and come to our help, do not give us up for ever. Why is your face covered, and why do you give no thought to our trouble and our cruel fate? For our souls are crushed down to the dust: our bodies are stretched out on the earth. Up! and come to our help, and give us salvation because of your mercy.
The Lord will go out as a man of war, he will be moved to wrath like a fighting-man: his voice will be strong, he will give a loud cry; he will go against his attackers like a man of war. I have long been quiet, I have kept myself in and done nothing: now I will make sounds of pain like a woman in childbirth, breathing hard and quickly.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 80
Commentary on Psalms 80 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 80
Ps 80:1-19. Shoshannim—"Lilies" (see on Ps 45:1, title). Eduth—Testimony, referring to the topic as a testimony of God to His people (compare Ps 19:7). This Psalm probably relates to the captivity of the ten tribes, as the former to that of Judah. Its complaint is aggravated by the contrast of former prosperity, and the prayer for relief occurs as a refrain through the Psalm.
1, 2. Joseph—for Ephraim (1Ch 7:20-29; Ps 78:67; Re 7:8), for Israel.
Shepherd—(Compare Ge 49:24).
leadest, &c.—(Ps 77:20).
dwellest … cherubim—(Ex 25:20); the place of God's visible glory, whence He communed with the people (Heb 9:5).
shine forth—appear (Ps 50:2; 94:1).
2. Before Ephraim, &c.—These tribes marched next the ark (Nu 2:18-24). The name of Benjamin may be introduced merely in allusion to that fact, and not because that tribe was identified with Israel in the schism (1Ki 12:16-21; compare also Nu 10:24).
3. Turn us—that is, from captivity.
thy face to shine—(Nu 6:25).
4. be angry—(Compare Margin.)
5. bread of tears—still an Eastern figure for affliction.
6. strife—object or cause of (Isa 9:11). On last clause compare Ps 79:4; Eze 36:4.
8-11. brought—or, "plucked up," as by roots, to be replanted.
a vine—(Ps 78:47). The figure (Isa 16:8) represents the flourishing state of Israel, as predicted (Ge 28:14), and verified (1Ki 4:20-25).
12. hedges—(Isa 5:5).
13. The boar—may represent the ravaging Assyrian and
the wild beast—other heathen.
14, 15. visit this vine—favorably (Ps 8:4).
15. And the vineyard—or, "And protect or guard what thy right hand," &c.
the branch—literally, "over the Son of man," preceding this phrase, with "protect" or "watch."
for thyself—a tacit allusion to the plea for help; for
16. it—the "vine" or
they—the "people" are suffering from Thy displeasure.
17. thy hand … upon—that is, strengthen (Ezr 7:6; 8:22).
man of … hand—may allude to Benjamin (Ge 35:18). The terms in the latter clause correspond with those of Ps 80:15, from "and the branch," &c., literally, and confirm the exposition given above.
18. We need quickening grace (Ps 71:20; 119:25) to persevere in Thy right worship (Ge 4:26; Ro 10:11).
19. (Compare Ps 80:3, "O God"; Ps 80:7, "O God of hosts").