Psalm 80 4

Psalm 80:4 kjv

O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?

Psalm 80:4 nkjv

O LORD God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people?

Psalm 80:4 niv

How long, LORD God Almighty, will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?

Psalm 80:4 esv

O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people's prayers?

Psalm 80:4 nlt

O LORD God of Heaven's Armies,
how long will you be angry with our prayers?

Psalm 80 verses

Psalm 80 4 Meaning

Psalm 80:4 is an earnest supplication, a desperate cry for God to act on behalf of His distressed people. It combines three potent elements: a plea for restoration to a previous state of favor, an invocation of God's mighty nature as "God of Hosts," and a request for His visible approval and blessing, understood as the "shining of His face," which is the source of ultimate salvation and deliverance from present affliction. The verse reflects a deep-seated belief that national and spiritual well-being are entirely dependent upon God's gracious and active intervention.

Psalm 80 4 Context

Psalm 80 is a communal lament, an urgent prayer of a people in distress, likely facing national devastation, perhaps due to invasion, exile, or oppression. The psalm frequently references Israel, particularly the northern tribes (Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh in verse 2), suggesting a possible setting around the Assyrian invasion or its aftermath. The Psalmist pleads for God, the Shepherd of Israel, enthroned on the cherubim, to come and save His people. The repeated refrain in verses 3, 7, and 19 (including our focal verse 4) underscores the desperate need for divine intervention. The imagery of Israel as a "vine" brought out of Egypt but now ravaged and burned (v.8-16) further highlights their dire situation, making the plea for restoration all the more poignant. They appeal to God's covenant loyalty and His power to rescue them from utter ruin.

Psalm 80 4 Word analysis

• Restore us again: (Hebrew: Hashivenu, from the root שׁוּב - shuv, a Hiphil imperative, meaning "cause to return" or "bring back") This is a forceful and active command-prayer for God to reverse their current calamitous state. The word "again" (implied by the repetition of the verb shuv or context) signifies a longing to return to a prior state of divine favor and national prosperity, acknowledging they have fallen away. It emphasizes God's active role in bringing about their turnaround, spiritually and physically. This is not simply about recovering material loss, but a spiritual and relational re-establishment with God.
• O God of hosts: (Hebrew: Elohim Tzeva'ot)
  • Elohim: A common generic term for God, but here specific, indicating the God of Israel.
  • Tzeva'ot: Means "armies," "hosts," or "multitudes." This divine title refers to God's absolute sovereignty and power over all created forces, both heavenly (angelic armies, stellar bodies) and earthly (human armies). Appealing to Him as "God of Hosts" emphasizes His ability to intervene with overwhelming strength and authority in times of national crisis, particularly military ones. It conveys omnipotence and control, precisely what is needed when human power has failed. This title often appears in contexts relating to the Temple, covenant, or warfare.
• let your face shine: (Hebrew: Ha'er paneka, from אוֹר - 'or - "to shine" or "give light," a Hiphil imperative, "cause to shine" + "your face") This is a direct appeal for God's radiant favor and gracious presence to be clearly manifested. The "shining of God's face" is a core biblical metaphor, drawn from the Aaronic blessing (Num 6:25-26). It symbolizes divine approval, blessing, favor, peace, prosperity, joy, and life. Conversely, God "hiding His face" signifies displeasure, judgment, and the absence of His favor, leading to darkness and distress. This plea is for God to turn His countenance towards them with grace.
• that we may be saved!: (Hebrew: v'nivvashe'ah, a Niphal imperfect of יָשַׁע - yasha' - "to save" or "deliver") This expresses the purpose and desired outcome of God's actions. The Niphal stem denotes a passive state, emphasizing that salvation is something received from God, not achieved by human effort. "Saved" encompasses deliverance from physical enemies, national calamity, and spiritual estrangement. It implies rescue, protection, healing, and restoration to wholeness. The verse concludes by tying salvation directly to God's gracious presence and active favor.

Psalm 80 4 Bonus section

• Repetitive Refrain: The strength of this verse is significantly amplified by its repetition three times within the psalm (v.3, v.7, v.19). This literary device (known as an inclusio at the end) not only creates an urgent, insistent plea but also forms a central liturgical chorus, expressing a profound and repeated communal yearning for God's saving grace and intervention.
• Historical Echoes: The reference to the "God of Hosts" and the focus on the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh subtly connects this psalm to the historical periods where the Northern Kingdom of Israel (often identified with Ephraim) suffered significant distress and divine judgment, such as during the Assyrian incursions. It calls upon the very God who established and defended Israel in earlier times to once again reveal His saving power.
• Theological Parallel to Christ: While not a direct prophecy, the concept of God's face shining upon His people, bringing salvation, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is "the radiance of the glory of God" (Heb 1:3), in whom the full light of God's countenance and saving grace is perfectly revealed to humanity, bringing the final and eternal salvation (John 8:12, John 12:46, 2 Cor 4:6).

Psalm 80 4 Commentary

Psalm 80:4 distills the fervent hope and deep anguish of a people overwhelmed by hardship, believing that only divine intervention can turn their plight around. It is a paradigm of biblical prayer during distress, blending lament with profound trust. The plea for God to "restore us" goes beyond mere physical restitution; it yearns for spiritual revival and re-establishing the intimate covenant relationship lost through their circumstances or sin. The address to God as "God of Hosts" underscores the belief that this all-powerful, omnipotent deity is fully capable of overcoming any human or natural adversary. The central request, "let your face shine," reveals a profound theological insight: God's visible favor, His unveiled presence, is the ultimate source of all blessings—peace, life, and deliverance. It links His benevolent regard directly to their "salvation," signifying that their very existence and well-being are contingent on Him actively turning towards them in grace. The verse functions as a concise theological statement that true rescue, whether personal or national, emanates from God's gracious countenance, demonstrating His mercy, not merely His might, is what saves.

• Practical Usage Example: When facing overwhelming personal trials or societal crises, this verse can guide prayer. It teaches us to: 1. Acknowledge our inability to solve the problem ourselves and turn to God ("Restore us"). 2. Recall His infinite power and authority over all circumstances ("God of Hosts"). 3. Seek His gracious presence and favor above all else ("Let Your face shine"), recognizing that His approval brings true deliverance and peace ("that we may be saved").