A Failed Intercession

Psalm 80 was a psalm sung by the temple singers in response to the Assyrian threat to the northern ten tribes. The relationship between Judah in the south and Israel in the north was strained—by this point they had been separate nations for many years and often didn’t get along. But even with their checkered past, the people of Judah didn’t want to see Israel fall. This psalm gives voice to their fears and their intercessions on behalf of their brothers to the north.

Save us (1-7). God is identified as the Shepherd of Israel—a title reserved for the king. The people recognize God’s place as their leader, but this is more than the typical notes of praise found in many psalms. There is a plea for God to rise up, wield His power, and save Israel. Even though Israel is the target of Assyria’s dreams of conquest, not Judah, the people of Judah nevertheless identify themselves with their brothers. “Stir up your might and come to save us!”

 

The tone of the psalm is best understood when we remember that Israel had been unfaithful to God for generations. There is no quiet peace in these stanzas, no calm assurance that God will save His people as He always has. God was angry with His people’s prayers (v. 4), gave them tears as food and drink (v. 5), and made them objects of derision and scorn among their enemies (v. 6). Israel has no hope if this is how God will treat them.

 

The plea to “restore us, O God” (v. 3) is repeated with greater zeal in verse 7. “Restore us, O God of hosts!”

 

The ravaged vine (8-13). Israel is represented as a vine struggling in Egypt. They were a people and could even be called a nation, but Egypt was not a safe home that belonged to them. God took them and brought them to a better place where they could thrive. The nations that lived in Canaan were driven out by the power of God so that Israel could be planted there. God perfectly prepared the promised land for Israel like a gardener prepares a space when transplanting a plant in need of a new home.

 

When Israel finally occupied Canaan, they prospered. The land was good and they did not need the emergency provision of manna that they relied on in the wilderness. It was a land of milk and honey, bread and grapes, fish and livestock. They built cities in the valleys and the hills and were safe from the people around them. The only times they were not safe were the times that they disobeyed God. God was patient with them and sent many deliverers and prophets to bring them back, but in the meantime they often endured oppression from various nations around them.

 

In the time of Psalm 80, something is different. Israel used to be a strong and healthy vine from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates, but the vine is dying. God has broken the walls protecting the vine and left it vulnerable to anyone and everyone (v. 12a). Those who pass by pick it clean of fruit (v. 12b) and the animals of the forest and field ravage and consume it. Israel is in dire straits—with Assyria at their doorstep it won’t be long before they are defeated, plundered, and left bare.

Pleading to God again (14-19). The people call on God one more time. “Turn again! Look down from heaven and have regard for this vine!” The people of Judah do not want to see Israel abandoned and forgotten by the LORD. Of course, this can be attributed to basic empathy and their filial bond as children of Jacob, but it also calls into question Judah’s relationship with God. If God will go this far with His punishment of Israel, what will He do with us?

 

The pleas intensify as the psalm hurtles toward its conclusion. They appeal to God’s compassion and justice in v. 16: “They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down; may they perish at the rebuke of your face!” They appeal to God’s covenant loyalty in v. 17: “Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!” They even pledge greater obedience and commitment in v. 18: “Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!”  They are trying every approach they can think of. The refrain from vv. 3 and 7 is repeated with greater zeal again: “Restore us, O LORD God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!”

 

Conclusion. This psalm is brimming with urgency and desperation. In the end, though, it will not be enough. Israel does not see their spiritual weakness like Judah does. They are not willing to repent and turn to God and it is ultimately too late. Assyria will come in and will take them captive, and they will never be restored to the land that had been given to them by God. God keeps His promises—the promises made to Abram in Genesis 12 will be seen in a smaller subset of the people. Even though Judah eventually faced a similar punishment, they were eventually restored so that the plan of God could continue. God’s patience does not last forever, and though intercessory prayer is powerful, it will not overcome a stubborn refusal to repent.