Psalms 80 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

upon Shoshannim-Eduth. The testimony relating to the Feast of the second Passover (Numbers 9:5-14. Compare 2 Chronicles 29:25-35; 2 Chronicles 30:23. The other of the two Psalmsthus called is Psalms 59. See App-65.

Before.. special various reading called Sevir (App-34) reads "For the sons of".

Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton App-6), calling our attention to these three. They were descended from Rachel, and marched together in the rear (Numbers 2:18-22). As Judah, Issachar, and Zebulun marched in the van, the Ark (the symbol of God's presence) led them as. Shepherd (Psalms 78:13-16; Psalms 78:52-55.John 10:4; John 10:5).

Turn us again. Figure of speech Cycloides (App-6) governing the Structure. Compare verses: Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19. Not from captivity, but from idolatry to the true worship.

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4. Note the significant order: Psalms 80:3, "O God"; Psalms 80:7, "O God of hosts"; Psalms 80:19, "0 Jehovah, God of hosts". This Divine order rebukes our own loose use of the Divine titles; and shows us the importance of noting their Divine use, not heeding modern hypotheses.

O LORD God of hosts. Hebrew. Jehovah. Elohim Zebaioth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3. Not common in the Psalms, but occurring in Psalms 59:6 and Psalms 84:8.

How long... ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.

laugh among themselves. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "have mocked at us".

to shine. Compare Numbers 6:25.

a vine. Compare Isaiah 5:1-7; Isaiah 27:2-6; Jeremiah 2:21; Jeremiah 12:10; Psalms 80:11 connects Joseph and Genesis 49:22.

heathen. nations.

the goodly cedars. mighty cedars. Hebrew "cedars of El". App-4.

the sea: i.e. the Mediterranean.

branches. roots, or suckers.

the river: i.e. the Euphrates.

Why... ? Figure of speech Erotesis (App-6), for emphasis.

the wood. forest. The Hebrew word for forest here (miyya'ar), has the letter Ayin suspended (see note on Judges 18:30). This is the second of four such suspended letters (the other two being Job 38:13; Job 38:15). Read with this letter, the word means "forest"; without it, and with an Aleph instead, it is miyy 'a r, "river". The ancient Jewish interpreters took this suspended letter as denoting that, when innocent, Israel would be assailed only by. power weak as. river animal; but, when guilty, it would be destroyed by. power as strong as. land animal. Until the Roman power arose (whose military ensign was the "boar"), it was understood as "river" (meaning Egypt); but afterward the Septuagint, Chaldee, and Vulg, read "forest".

Return. Compare verses: Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19, and see the Structure above.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton (App-6) for emphasis. Almost an Ellipsis. "[once more] look down, [once more] behold, [once more] visit".

And the. Supply the Ellipsis (App-6), "And [protect] the".

branch. son. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "son of man", as in Psalms 80:17.

upon: or over.

man. Hebrew. i. h. App-14.

son of man. son of Adam. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14. See note on Ezekiel 2:1.

Quicken. make alive, restore, revive.

O LORD, &c. See note on Psalms 80:3 and Psalms 80:7.