Notes on Psalm 80: 1-7, 16-18

Psalm 80:1-7, 16-18 Page 702, 703, BCP

Qui regis Israel

1 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;

shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.

2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,

stir up your strength and come to help us.

3 Restore us, O God of hosts;

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

4 O LORD God of hosts,

how long will you be angered
despite the prayers of your people?

5 You have fed them with the bread of tears;

you have given them bowls of tears to drink.

6 You have made us the derision of our neighbors,

and our enemies laugh us to scorn.

7 Restore us, O God of hosts;

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

16 Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand,

the son of man you have made so strong for yourself.

17 And so will we never turn away from you;

give us life, that we may call upon your Name.

18 Restore us, O LORD God of hosts;

show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

It’s easy to get distracted by mentions of shepherds and Joseph to let our minds wander to Christmas as we read this psalm, but that would be to miss the entire point.

This psalm is written in the form of a community lament, asking for the help of God. The community understands that it has sinned against God (vv. 3-4). In return, it believes that it has brought suffering upon itself, and feels sharply how lost they are. “How long?”- asked in verse 4—is such a human question. How long until we are forgiven? How long must we suffer? How long must we feel alone and abandoned?

How often have we had someone turn their face away from us after we have done something to anger them or hurt them? Three times we see the plea: “Restore us, O God of hosts,” much as in ancient times a penitent would beat his or her hreast three times and say, “Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa”—which means “”My fault, my fault, my very great fault.”

The use of this psalm on this last Sunday of Advent is to remind us why God sent the Son into the world: to call us back from our hardheartedness and sinfulness. The reference to “the son of man” can be read as a reference to Jesus, especially since the Gospel of Matthew uses that term 28 times, and often puts that term in the mouth of Jesus himself. The “Son of Man” is coming, to bring salvation (v. 7). Let all the world rejoice!