Psalm 80:9 - Printer Friendly

ESV: You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.

NIV: You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land.

NASB: You cleared the ground before it, And it took deep root and filled the land.

CSB: You cleared a place for it; it took root and filled the land.

NLT: You cleared the ground for us, and we took root and filled the land.

KJV: Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

NKJV: You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.

Psalm 80:7–13 reflects on the Lord's former blessings on Israel. The nation's rescue from slavery and establishment in the Promised Land are depicted as a vine transplanted and nurtured. This "vine" became large, powerful, and successful. But now the nation is like a vineyard with broken walls: open to thieves, vandals, and wild animals.

The psalmist calls for God's rescue during a time of defeat. The refrain "Restore us…that we may be saved" is repeated several times. The song expresses grief that the Lord has allowed Israel to suffer defeat and embarrassment. Though Israel was brought out of slavery and established in the Promised Land, it is being attacked by some force or foreign power. The psalmist appeals to God to restore His chosen people.

This is not clearly associated with a specific event, as are some other chapters in this part of the book of Psalms. Scholars have suggested the conquest of the northern kingdom, the fall of the entire nation of Israel, and harassment by foreign nations during the early days of the monarchy. An unlikely possibility is that the psalm mourns spiritual decay in the nation. The wide range of eras which might apply makes exact authorship uncertain, as well.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 8/31/2024 11:51:12 PM