Psalm 80 3

Psalm 80:3 kjv

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80:3 nkjv

Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!

Psalm 80:3 niv

Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:3 esv

Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!

Psalm 80:3 nlt

Turn us again to yourself, O God.
Make your face shine down upon us.
Only then will we be saved.

Psalm 80 verses

Psalm 80 3 Meaning

Psalm 80:3 is a heartfelt prayer for divine intervention and deliverance. It articulates a fundamental cry from the human condition to God: to be brought back from a state of distress or decline, to experience His divine favor and active presence, and as a result, to receive comprehensive salvation and deliverance. The verse encapsulates a yearning for God's redemptive power to transform their circumstances and bring them out of trouble into a state of well-being and security.

Psalm 80 3 Context

Psalm 80 is a communal lament from Asaph, serving as a desperate prayer from the northern tribes (Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, mentioned in verse 2) for God's restoration. The Psalm expresses deep anguish over Israel's desolate state, often depicted with the imagery of a vine God brought out of Egypt and planted, but now withered and broken. The verse 3 prayer, "Restore us, O God; let Your face shine, that we may be saved!" is a repeated refrain throughout the Psalm (appearing again in verses 7 and 19 with a slight variation "God of hosts"). This repetition emphasizes the urgency and fervent desire of the people for God to intervene and deliver them from their suffering and enemies. The historical context likely points to a period of national distress, possibly after military defeat or during the Assyrian oppression or exile of the northern kingdom, where God's perceived absence or displeasure was leading to ruin. The core message is a plea for God to turn back to His people in favor and powerful presence.

Psalm 80 3 Word analysis

• הֲשִׁיבֵנוּ (hashivenu) – "Restore us / Cause us to return":

  • This is derived from the Hebrew root שׁוּב (shuv), which carries the core meaning of "to turn back," "return," or "restore."
  • It encompasses both God's act of restoring His people to a favorable state (e.g., from exile or hardship) and the people's act of turning back to God in repentance.
  • The prayer implicitly acknowledges a deviation from God or a decline in their national fortune, requiring divine reversal.

• אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) – "O God":

  • A plural form, but grammatically singular when referring to the one true God, signifying His supreme power and majesty.
  • It is a general yet foundational title for God, emphasizing His role as Creator, Sovereign, and the ultimate source of all power.
  • Addressing God as Elohim underlines His omnipotence and singular ability to fulfill the prayer's requests.

• וְהָאֵר (v'ha'er) – "let Your face shine":

  • The conjunction "וְ" (ve) means "and" or "so that," indicating consequence or further petition.
  • הָאֵר (ha'er) comes from אוֹר (or), meaning "light" or "to shine." In the Hiphil causative stem, it means "cause to shine" or "make bright."
  • The expression "Your face shine" is an anthropomorphism. It represents God's favorable presence, active attention, and divine approval.
  • Light, in this context, symbolizes God's grace, guidance, life, blessing, and deliverance, dispelling darkness, despair, and judgment.

• פָּנֶיךָ (paneykha) – "Your face":

  • Literally "your face." This refers not to a physical countenance but to God's manifested presence, His benevolent gaze, and His active intervention.
  • For God's face to shine means He is favorably disposed, showing kindness, granting favor, and making His presence known in a beneficial way.
  • Its opposite is God hiding His face, which implies displeasure, withdrawal, or judgment, leading to hardship.

• וְנִוָּשֵׁעָה (v'nivashea) – "that we may be saved!":

  • The conjunction "וְ" (ve) again indicates purpose or result: "so that," "and," or "that we may."
  • נִוָּשֵׁעָה (nivashea) derives from יָשַׁע (yasha), the Hebrew root for "to save," "deliver," or "rescue." It encompasses a wide range of deliverances, including from physical danger, enemies, illness, or national distress.
  • Here, it signifies the desired outcome—complete restoration, security, and well-being, which is directly dependent upon God's gracious presence and His act of shining His face upon them. It's a comprehensive salvation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Restore us, O God": This initial phrase is a plea for God's merciful intervention. It encapsulates the deep need for a turning point, implying that the people are either "turned away" from God and need to return, or they are in a dire state from which only God can retrieve them. It's an acknowledgment of human inadequacy and divine omnipotence.
• "let Your face shine": This is the condition or means through which salvation is expected. The shining face of God is the manifestation of His divine favor, blessing, and active presence. It is a reversal of any hiddenness or displeasure that may have led to their current predicament, signifying comfort, assurance, and power for deliverance.
• "that we may be saved!": This declarative statement expresses the ultimate purpose and hope of the entire petition. "Saved" here is broad, referring to deliverance from whatever current distress or threat they are experiencing. It directly links God's gracious intervention (His shining face) to the experience of complete rescue and well-being for the people.

Psalm 80 3 Bonus section

The thrice-repeated refrain in Psalm 80 (vv. 3, 7, 19), with a progression from "O God" to "O God of hosts" in later instances, amplifies the intensity and specificity of the prayer. Starting with "Elohim," a general term for God, and progressing to "Elohim Tzevaot," "God of hosts," indicates an increasing appeal to God as the sovereign commander of heavenly armies, suggesting a plea for military intervention and decisive action against their adversaries, while acknowledging His inherent divinity. This communal psalm thus serves as a model for intercession in times of severe national or personal crisis, highlighting absolute reliance on God's character and power for any genuine reversal of fortune. The spiritual application for believers is profound: recognizing our constant need for God to "restore" us to spiritual vibrancy, for His "face to shine" through the knowledge of Jesus Christ (2 Cor 4:6), and for the complete "salvation" that encompasses forgiveness of sins and ultimate deliverance in His kingdom.

Psalm 80 3 Commentary

Psalm 80:3 stands as the fervent plea at the heart of a national lament. It articulates a fundamental human longing for God's active, benevolent presence. The prayer to "Restore us" acknowledges a state of spiritual or national decline, whether due to their own straying or external affliction. It is a cry for God to turn back to them with favor and power. This restoration is inherently linked to God's "face shining upon us." This beautiful imagery, echoing the Aaronic blessing (Num 6:25), speaks of God's unreserved favor, grace, and light, banishing darkness and bringing life. The desired outcome, "that we may be saved," signifies comprehensive deliverance and well-being. This is not merely an escape from immediate trouble, but a holistic salvation that implies peace, security, and spiritual health. The verse reminds believers that salvation, whether from sin, distress, or existential despair, flows directly from God's gracious initiative and the manifestation of His glorious presence. It invites an earnest, dependent prayer for God to show His face to His people in love and power, leading to genuine transformation and deliverance.