Comment – Psalm 80 was written before the destruction of the ark, which occurred following the destruction of Jerusalem. It is thought to have been written after the Assyrian Sargon conquered Samaria and after the city remained unscathed following the siege of Sennacherib, which led to the devastation of Judea. These facts highlighted the power of God in defense of his temple, making Samaria sensitive to Jerusalem and consequently allowing the action carried out by Josiah, aimed at a radical reform also in the territory of the Samaritans.
Psalm 80 complete
[1] To the choir master. On "Lily of the precept". Asaph Psalm.
[2] You, shepherd of Israel, listen, you who guide Joseph like a flock. Sitting on the cherubs you shine
[3] before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your power and come to our rescue.
[4] Lift us up, Lord our God, make your face shine and we will be saved.
[5] Lord, God of hosts, how long will you quiver with indignation at the prayers of your people?
[6] You feed us with bread of tears, you make us drink plenty of tears.
[7] You made us a matter of contention for the neighbors, and our enemies laugh at us.
[8] Raise us up, God of hosts, make your face shine and we will be saved.
[9] You have torn a vine from Egypt, to transplant it you have expelled the peoples.
[10] You prepared the ground for it, sank its roots and filled the earth.
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[11] Its shadow covered the mountains and its branches with the tallest cedars.
[12] It extended its branches to the sea and its shoots reached the river.
[13] Why have you cut down his wall and every traveler makes a harvest of it?
[14] The wild boar ravages it and the wild animal feeds on it.
[15] God of armies, turn, look from heaven and see and visit this vineyard,
[16] protect the stump that your right hand has planted, the sprout you have cultivated.
[17] Those who burned it with fire and cut it will perish at the threat of your face.
[18] Let your hand be on the man of your right hand, on the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself.
[19] We will no longer depart from you, you will make us live and we will invoke your name.
[20] Raise us up, Lord God of hosts, make your face shine and we will be saved.
