Psalm 80: 9, 12-16, 19-20

The responsorial psalm for this week comes from Psalm 80, a community lament in a time of military defeat.

The vineyard imagery correlates perfectly with the other readings for this Sunday.

A vine from Egypt you transplanted; you drove away the nations and planted it.

As with our first reading, this psalm depicts God as an owner of a vineyard and the nation of Israel as the vineyard.

Israel often referred to itself metaphorically as a vineyard, as seen in the writings of Isaiah (5:1-7, 27:2-5), Jeremiah (2:21), Hosea (10:1), and Matthew (21:33).

The psalmist begins by recalling how God brought the people of Israel out of Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. This reminder of God’s saving actions in the past is part of a plea to God for him to save the people again now.

It put forth its foliage to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.

Under the reign of King David, the nation of Israel grew and prospered. It expanded its influence from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Euphrates River in the east.

Why have you broken down its walls, so that every passer-by plucks its fruit,

The psalm takes a somber turn as the psalmist laments the vineyard’s fate.

The misfortune Israel was suffering at the time may have been at the hands of other nations, but it only came to pass because of God’s will.

the boar from the forest lays it waste, and the beasts of the field feed upon it?

Boars and beasts of the field were wild animals and consequently considered unclean. The nation has not only been assaulted, it has also been desecrated.

In agony, the psalmist cries out: Why have you done this?

Once again, O LORD of hosts,

The psalm invokes a second image of God: that of a military leader.

“LORD of hosts” is a military title. A “host” is an army; therefore a Lord of hosts is a powerful leader who commands a multitude.

Israel believed that whenever necessary, God would marshal the forces of heaven and fight in Israel’s defense (Isaiah 40:26)

look down from heaven, and see;

God is both a powerful commander and a diligent vineyard keeper who tenderly cares for his people.

As such, the psalmist implores him to turn his attention back to the vineyard.

take care of this vine,

Cultivating grapevines is demanding and tedious work, and it takes a long time to bring a vine to maturity. Vinedressers must be patient, dedicated people who are willing to endure long hours and inclement weather.

Picturing God in this way, the psalmist cries: “Take care of this vine!”

and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong.

Some commentators see “the son of man whom you yourself made strong” as a reference to Israel being the instrument through which the power of God manifests itself.

Others see the psalmist praying for the king specifically, in addition to his advocacy for the nation overall. In that interpretation, “man of your right hand” would refer to the place of honor the king has been given by God, and “son of man” would be a poignant reminder that despite his royal status, the king is a child of Adam just like everyone else.

Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. 

Most translations have “then we will never turn back from you.” It’s unclear whether Israel had already turned away from God (“we will no more withdraw from you”), or if the psalmist is pledging fidelity in response to the expected intervention from God.

O LORD, God of hosts, restore us; 

Their prayer is twofold: Give us new life! Restore us!

if your face shine upon us, then we shall be saved.

This is a common biblical expression. Asking for God’s face to shine upon them means asking for his favor, blessings, and presence. The ultimate goal is salvation, which, in the context of this psalm, refers to deliverance from their current distress and the restoration of their fortunes.

They are confident that if God merely looks kindly on them once again, they will be saved.