Psalm 80 (Listen)

80:1   Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock.
  You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.
    Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh,
  stir up your might
    and come to save us!
  Restore us, O God;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved!
  O LORD God of hosts,
    how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
  You have fed them with the bread of tears
    and given them tears to drink in full measure.
  You make us an object of contention for our neighbors,
    and our enemies laugh among themselves.
  Restore us, O God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved!
  You brought a vine out of Egypt;
    you drove out the nations and planted it.
  You cleared the ground for it;
    it took deep root and filled the land.
10   The mountains were covered with its shade,
    the mighty cedars with its branches.
11   It sent out its branches to the sea
    and its shoots to the River.
12   Why then have you broken down its walls,
    so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?
13   The boar from the forest ravages it,
    and all that move in the field feed on it.
14   Turn again, O God of hosts!
    Look down from heaven, and see;
  have regard for this vine,
15     the stock that your right hand planted,
    and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.
16   They have burned it with fire; they have cut it down;
    may they perish at the rebuke of your face!
17   But let your hand be on the man of your right hand,
    the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself!
18   Then we shall not turn back from you;
    give us life, and we will call upon your name!
19   Restore us, O LORD God of hosts!
    Let your face shine, that we may be saved!




Devotional:

Restore us, Lord, God of Armies; make your face shine on us, so that we may be saved. (Psalm 80:19) 

At three different points in this prayer for restoration and salvation, we find this request: “make your face shine on us.” This phrase recalls the words of Numbers 6:24-26, in which Moses gives this blessing to Aaron and his sons: “May the Lord bless you and protect you; may the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord look with favor on you and give you peace.” Have you ever prayed a blessing over someone? Receive this blessing today and consider praying it over someone you love to bless them. Restoration and salvation occur when God’s face shines in our life.

Pray It: Father, thank you that you are not only a God who sees but one who shines His face upon His people. Help me to remember your presence with me wherever I go and the protection and blessings you bestow. Amen.

Share it: Share a verse or thought from this passage with someone today.