Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.
Psalms 80:1-19.-Prayer for help for oppressed Israel (Psalms 80:1-3); complaint: their oppression (Psalms 80:4-7); Israel, the vine brought out of Egypt, planted and tended by God, is now a prey to beasts (Psalms 80:8-13); prayer that God would visit in mercy this vine (Psalms 80:14-19). Three times (like the Mosaic blessing, Numbers 6:24-26), at the turning points of the psalm, the fundamental prayer recurs, "Turn us again," etc. (Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:7; Psalms 80:19), wherein "God," "God of hosts," "O Yahweh, God of hosts," form an ascending climax. The captivity of the Ten tribes is Assyria is the subject; Judah here and Psalms 77:1-20 offers prayer in sympathy for her sister. So the Septuagint prefix 'concerning the Assyrian.'
The Title, To the chief musician (not in Psalms 74:1-23; Psalms 79:1-13), shows the psalm was for the temple service; therefore the reference cannot be to the Chaldean invasion, which overthrew the temple and Jerusalem. The vine, though much destroyed, appears still standing in the Holy Land. The prayer, "Turn us again," or bring us back, implies that many were now exiles. "Joseph" (Psalms 80:1) represents the Ten tribes, not Judah (Psalms 78:67; Amos 6:6; Obadiah 1:8). Benjamin, in Psalms 80:2, cannot represent Judah: excepting the Benjamites inhabiting one side of Jerusalem, Benjamin was joined to Joseph (Numbers 2:17; Numbers 2:24; Numbers 10:21; Numbers 10:24; 2 Samuel 19:16; 2 Samuel 19:20; 1 Samuel 22:7). Only a portion of Benjamin remained with Judah at the severance (1 Kings 12:2; 1 Kings 12:17; 1 Kings 11:13; 1 Kings 11:32; 1 Kings 11:36; 1 Kings 12:20). Simeon was a amalgamated with Judah (Joshua 19:1; Genesis 49:7) rather than Benjamin.
Upon Shoshannim - i:e., lilies (titles, Psalms 45:1-17; Psalms 60:1-12; Psalms 69:1-36). The 'lilies' express that which is lovely; the lovely salvation of the Lord. Compare the thrice-repeated, (Psalms 80:3; Psalms 80:6; Psalms 80:19) "we shall be saved;" and in Psalms 80:2, "save us."
Eduth, х `eeduwt (H5715)] - a testimony (Psalms 78:5; Psalms 81:5) or law. Thus, in respect to the previous "Shoshannim," it expresses a law which points out to the godly in trouble the way of obtaining salvation' or 'deliverance.' Compare Psalms 78:1.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel - (Psalms 23:1). Jacob, a shepherd himself, first employs the image (Genesis 48:15; Genesis 49:24), "the Shepherd ... of Israel."
Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock - ordinarily: now that, alas! Joseph (i:e., the Ten tribes) is a captive exile, thy Shepherd-like care is sorely needed.
Thou that dwellest between the cherubims - sitting thereon as upon thy throne. In the former clause God's loving care as His people's shepherd, here His omnipotence, is made the ground of expecting deliverance. His sitting on the cherubim in the temple represents His absolute supremacy over the ruling powers and administrators of the world, which are represented by the cherubim (Psalms 18:10).
Shine forth - manifesting thy power, faithfulness, and love in behalf of thy people. So at Sinai (Deuteronomy 33:2), the earnest of His future epiphany in glory (Psalms 50:2; Titus 2:13). The bright Shechinah cloud was the symbol of His manifestation as present among His people.