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Psalm 80
Lizz Horn
February 18, 2016

1 Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
you who lead Joseph like a flock.
You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
stir up your might
and come to save us!

Restore us, O God;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

You have fed them with the bread of tears
and given them tears to drink in full measure.

You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
and our enemies laugh among themselves.

Restore us, O God of hosts;
let your face shine, that we may be saved!

You brought a vine out of Egypt;
you drove out the nations and planted it.

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

10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
the mighty cedars with its branches.

11 It sent out its branches to the sea
and its shoots to the River.

12 Why then have you broken down its walls,
so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?

13 The boar from the forest ravages it,
and all that move in the field feed on it.

14 Turn again, O God of hosts!

Look down from heaven, and see;
have regard for this vine,

15 the stock that your right hand planted,
and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.

16 They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
may they perish at the rebuke of your face!

17 But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!

18 Then we shall not turn back from you;
give us life, and we will call upon your name!

19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts!

Let your face shine, that we may be saved!

The vine in verse 8 represents Israel. God took Israel out of Egypt and planted it. Israel grew into a deep rooted tree and filled the land with shade. The branches that grew from this mighty vine stretched over the mountains, and to the seas and rivers. In other words, there was no where the reach of God’s chosen people did not go. Verses 8-11 speak of God’s almighty power, to rescue Israel out of Egypt and plant them where they flourish. 
Israel is facing persecution and questioning why something, that was built by God, could be attacked and torn down. They are pleading for God to save them, and he feels absent. It’s easy to look at this Psalm and question the goodness of God. 
What I take away from this Psalm, is that no matter what, we should cry out to God. Even though we might be questioning God because of what is going on, we still need to ask for his saving grace. That God would reveal himself to us in the midst of trouble. God is almighty, as is evident in verses 8-11. 
Lord, even when we question your goodness and faithfulness, help us to lean into you. Help us to trust in your saving grace. Hear our prayers when we cry out in times of trouble. Let us see your face.