Psalm 80:7-14 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 80:7-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
Verse 8You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.
Verse 9You cleared the ground for it; it took deep root and filled the land.
Verse 10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;
Verse 11it sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the River.
Verse 12Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
Verse 13The boar from the forest ravages it, and all that move in the field feed on it.
Verse 14Turn again, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine,
Devotion
The vineyard theme continues in our readings this week. Psalm 80’s emphasis is on the Lord rescuing Israel from Egypt. “You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.”
If Israel was God’s planting, the people asked, “Why then have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?” Israel’s neighbors wished its downfall. Nineveh carried off the northern tribes. Babylon destroyed Jerusalem and the temple and carried its people into captivity.
Israel’s response was to plead, “Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved ... have regard for this vine.”
Jesus promised that the gates of Hades would not be able to stand against his gospel. Our task is to spread the Good News of salvation to set people free from bondage to the powers of darkness.
Prayer
Gracious God, have regard for your church, for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.