Psalms 80 - Wesley's Explanatory Notes

Joseph — The children of Joseph or Israel. The name of Joseph, the most eminent of the patriarchs, is elsewhere put for all the tribes. Cherubim — Which were by the mercy seat above the ark.

Before Ephraim — Here is an allusion to the ancient situation of the tabernacle in the wilderness, where these tribes were placed on the west — side of the tabernacle, in which the ark was, which consequently was before them.

Turn us — To thy self.

Preparedst — Thou didst root out the idolatrous nations. Deep root — Thou gavest them a firm settlement.

The hills — They filled not only the fruitful valleys, but even the barren mountains.

The river — They possessed the whole land, from the mid — land sea to the river Euphrates.

Hedges — Taken away thy protection.

They — Thy people, signified by the vine. So now he passes from the metaphor to the thing designed by it.

Be — To protect and strengthen him. Right — hand — Benjamin signifies the son of the right hand, a dearly beloved son, as Benjamin was to Jacob. Son of man — The people of Israel, who are often spoken of as one person, as God's son and first — born.

Go back — Revolt from thee to idolatry or wickedness. Quicken — Revive and restore us to our tranquility.