801 Give ear, O Keeper of Israel, guiding Joseph like a flock; you who have your seat on the winged ones, let your glory be seen. 2 Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, let your strength be awake from sleep, and come as our salvation. 3 Take us back again, O God; let us see the shining of your face, and let us be safe. 4 O Lord God of armies, how long will your wrath be burning against the rest of your people? 5 You have given them the bread of weeping for food; for their drink you have given them sorrow in great measure. 6 You make us a cause of war among our neighbours; our haters are laughing at us among themselves. 7 Take us back again, O God of armies; let us see the shining of your face, and let us be safe.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 80:1-7
Commentary on Psalm 80:1-7
(Read Psalm 80:1-7)
He that dwelleth upon the mercy-seat, is the good Shepherd of his people. But we can neither expect the comfort of his love, nor the protection of his arm, unless we partake of his converting grace. If he is really angry at the prayers of his people, it is because, although they pray, their ends are not right, or there is some secret sin indulged in them, or he will try their patience and perseverance in prayer. When God is displeased with his people, we must expect to see them in tears, and their enemies in triumph. There is no salvation but from God's favour; there is no conversion to God but by his own grace.