8 You removed a vine from Egypt ; You drove out the nations and planted it. 9 You cleared the ground before it, And it took deep root and filled the land . 10 The mountains were covered with its shadow , And the cedars of God with its boughs . 11 It was sending out its branches to the sea And its shoots to the River . 12 Why have You broken down its hedges , So that all who pass that way pick its fruit? 13 A boar from the forest eats it away And whatever moves in the field feeds on it. 14 O God of hosts , turn again now , we beseech You; Look down from heaven and see , and take care of this vine , 15 Even the shoot which Your right hand has planted , And on the son whom You have strengthened for Yourself. 16 It is burned with fire , it is cut down ; They perish at the rebuke of Your countenance .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 80:8-16
Commentary on Psalm 80:8-16
(Read Psalm 80:8-16)
The church is represented as a vine and a vineyard. The root of this vine is Christ, the branches are believers. The church is like a vine, needing support, but spreading and fruitful. If a vine do not bring forth fruit, no tree is so worthless. And are not we planted as in a well-cultivated garden, with every means of being fruitful in works of righteousness? But the useless leaves of profession, and the empty boughs of notions and forms, abound far more than real piety. It was wasted and ruined. There was a good reason for this change in God's way toward them. And it is well or ill with us, according as we are under God's smiles or frowns. When we consider the state of the purest part of the visible church, we cannot wonder that it is visited with sharp corrections. They request that God would help the vine. Lord, it is formed by thyself, and for thyself, therefore it may, with humble confidence, be committed to thyself.