The Man at God’s Right Hand – Psalm 80

“To the Chief Musician. Set to ‘The Lilies.’ A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.” Psalm 80:1

“The phrase, ‘set to The Lilies’ may refer to general beauty of the composition, to the tune, or even to a six-stringed instrument known as the Shoshannim (Hebrew).” [1]

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. You who lead Joseph like a flock. You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up Your strength, and come and save us!” Psalm 80:1-2

Asaph calls on the God who dwells between the cherubim (angels) to listen and lead His sheep with strength and saving grace. He mentions the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. These are the names of Joseph’s two sons. Ephraim and Manasseh came to be known as the two half tribes. He also mentions the tribe of Benjamin. Joseph and Benjamin were the two sons Jacob via his wife Rachel. In the allotment of the Promised Land, these tribes occupied adjacent territories in the central hill country. Ephraim was nestled directly between Manasseh (to the north) and Benjamin (to the south). In fact, the boundaries were so closely intertwined that they often contained shared enclaves of cities within one another’s territories. [2]

Christ is the great and good Shepherd. He leads His followers like a flock of sheep to the best pastures, and out of the way of danger. [3]

Jesus dwells between the cherubim, where He is ready to receive petitions and to give directions. The Mercy-Seat was between the cherubim atop of the Ark of Covenant.

The Old Testament Mercy-Seat is a type of Christ. [4] In1 John 2:2, we read, “He Himself is the Mercy-Seat for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.”

Perhaps the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh are named because they were the tribes which formed that squadron of the camp of Israel that in their march through the wilderness followed next after the tabernacle; so that before them the Ark of God's strength rose to scatter their enemies. [5]

“Turn us, O God. Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:3

The word for “Turn” in Hebrew (שׁוּב) means to turn from one thing to another. The implied meaning here is to turn from opposing to embracing God. The word for “shine” in Hebrew (אוֹר) means light. The word in Hebrew for “saved” (יָשַׁע) is the word from which Jesus’ Name is made.

The words of Psalm 80:3 are repeated word for word in verses 7 and 19 of Psalm 80.

In Acts 26:17-18, Jesus clarified the meaning of Psalm 80 when He called Paul to open the eyes of the Gentiles in order to TURN them FROM darkness TO light, and FROM the power of Satan TO God. When anyone turns from the darkness of Satan to the light of Jesus, God saves them.

In Mark 1:14-15, Jesus preached, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the Gospel.” The word for “repent” means to change one’s mind. The change that is needed is a TURN FROM sin TO Jesus Christ for salvation and sanctification.

In Proverbs 1:23, the Lord says, “Turn at My rebuke. Surely I will pour out My Spirit on you. I will make My words known to you.” The word for “rebuke” in Hebrew (תּוֹכֵחָה) implies a well-deserved conviction or correction. In Hebrews 4:7-8, we read, “As the Holy Spirit says: ‘Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.’”

In Psalm 80, Asaph prays for divine conversions. We too should pray for souls to be converted.

“O Lord God of hosts, how long will You be angry against the prayer of Your people?” Psalm 80:4

Was God angry against their prayers because of their sins? In Psalm 66:18, David wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”

Was God angry against their prayers because husbands were mistreating their wives? 1 Peter 1:7 says, “Husbands, likewise, dwell with them [your wives] with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.”

Was God angry against their prayers because they asked amiss? James 4:3 says, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Was God angry against their prayers because of their lack of faith? Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Was God angry against their prayers because they lacked persistence? In Matthew 15:22-28, a woman of Canaan pleaded with Jesus to set her daughter free from a demon. He did not answer her a word. His disciples urged Jesus to send her away. Jesus told her, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” She worshiped Jesus. She pleaded, “Lord, help me!” She was persistent in prayer. Jesus told her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” She replied, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” Finally, Jesus answered her prayer and said to her, “O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.” Her daughter was healed from that very hour.

Could it be that revival tarries due to one or all of the above reasons?

“You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in great measure. You have made us a strife to our neighbors, and our enemies laugh among themselves.” Psalm 80:5-6

Israel’s sorrow was not occasional or light. While Israel’s daily menu consisted of tears for food and drink, their enemies were laughing with delight.

“Turn us, O God of hosts. Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:7

Asaph looked to the Lord for salvation.

“You have brought a vine out of Egypt. You have cast out the nations and planted it. You prepared room for it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with its shadow, and the mighty cedars with its boughs. She sent out her boughs to the Sea, and her branches to the River.” Psalm 80:8-11

A vine appears weak and dependent compared to mighty trees. Yet it spreads widely and bears valuable fruit. It’s worth is not in outward strength, but in the fruit it produces. [6]

Christ is the Vine from which Israel’s branches drew life. The “Vine” was planted in the Promised Land after God cleared the Canaanites out. The Vine spread as the land became full of people. Israel’s influence reached “to the Sea” and “to the River” symbolizing growth and dominion.

“Why have You broken down her hedges, so that all who pass by the way pluck her fruit? The boar out of the woods uproots it, and the wild beast of the field devours it. Return, we beseech You, O God of hosts look down from heaven and see and visit this vine and the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, and the branch that You made strong for Yourself. It is burned with fire. It is cut down. They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.” Psalm 80:12-16

Why did God allow His Vineyard to be ravaged, uprooted and devoured?

In Hosea 10:1, God described Israel as “an empty vine” due to her worship of other images. In Isaiah 5:4, God described Israel as producing “wild grapes” due to her perverse ways. In Ezekiel 15:5-8, God described Israel as a useless vine due to their unfaithfulness.

In John 15:4, Jesus taught us that we must abide in Him to bear good fruit.

God removed His divine protection from Israel due to their sin. Once He withdrew it, enemies invaded, plundered and destroyed them. The wild boars, beasts, and passersby stripping the vine, represent hostile nations attacking God’s people. [7]

Israel’s enemies could do nothing to them until God allowed them, just as Satan could not touch Job until God permitted it.

In Romans 8:28, we read, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” In the case of Job, his faith in God has inspired people for many generations. In James 5:11, we read, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”

In the case of Israel, they suffered losses due to their idolatry and perverse lifestyles. However, after their captivity in Babylon, Israel did not set up temples to idols again.

Israel’s deepest tragedy was not military defeat. It was God’s displeasure. His frown, His rebuke, and the withdraw of His presence from them.

During Israel’s setbacks, Asaph turned to the Lord and prayed...

“Let Your hand be upon the Man of Your right hand, upon the Son of Man whom You made strong for Yourself. Then we will not turn back from You. Revive us, and we will call upon Your Name. Restore us, O Lord God of hosts. Cause Your face to shine, and we shall be saved!” Psalm 80:17-19

Asaph’s appeal for salvation is based on the Man at God’s right hand, that is, the Son of Man whom He made strong for Himself... a clear reference to Jesus Christ. The “branch” or “son” is linked to the coming Messiah in the Books of Zechariah, Isaiah and the Gospel of John.

The message of Psalm 80 agrees with the words of the prophets, apostles and Jesus in other books of the Bible. They all warn us about tribulation due to Satan and sin in the world, but also encourage us with promises of future blessings from God. In Revelation, the great tribulation is followed by Christ’s return, and the reveal of a new heaven and new earth wherein dwells righteousness, peace, joy and love. At that point, there will never again be a falling away. We will be with God forever and ever world without end.


[1] Enduringword.com/bible-commentary
[2] Matthew Henry’s Commentary and Googles sources
[3] Matthew Henry’s Commentary
[4] Ibid
[5] Ibid
[6] Ibid
[7] Ibid