Psalm 80:2

Hear Us, O Shepherd of Israel · Psalm 80:1–19
Read Psalm 80

Translations

Modern
…before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.
Traditional
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
Literal
…before the face of Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Rouse Your strength, and come to bring salvation for us!
Latin
…coram Ephraim, Benjamin, et Manasse. Excita potentiam tuam, et veni, ut salvos facias nos.

Original

Hebrew
English
…before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.

Notes

The psalmist urgently calls upon the Lord to act.

This psalm of lament may come from the remnant (the small group that survived) of the northern kingdom after it fell in 722 BC. The people call on God as their Shepherd and as the God of Hosts (a title that describes God as the ruler over the armies of heaven). They hope that he will return to them and restore them.

They remember the Exodus and their special relationship with the Lord. The psalm ends with a promise of renewed commitment to him (Psalm 80:18).

Theme notes and profiles

Salvation in the Psalms

People

Benjamin: Youngest son of Jacob and Rachel Ephraim: Second son of Joseph, and a tribe of Israel Manasseh: Firstborn son of Joseph, blessed by Jacob

Glossary

Asaph Imprecatory Psalms Music Psalms, Book of Shoshannim, Shoshannim-Eduth

Topics

Church: Backslidden Intercession: Exemplified