A Prayer for Restoration

801 To the choirmaster: according to Lilies. A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock! Thou who art enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth 2 before E'phraim and Benjamin and Manas'seh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us! 3 Restore us, O God; let thy face shine, that we may be saved! 4 O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry with thy people's prayers? 5 Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure. 6 Thou dost make us the scorn of our neighbors; and our enemies laugh among themselves. 7 Restore us, O God of hosts; let thy face shine, that we may be saved!

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.