Psalm 80 8

Psalm 80:8 kjv

Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it.

Psalm 80:8 nkjv

You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have cast out the nations, and planted it.

Psalm 80:8 niv

You transplanted a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Psalm 80:8 esv

You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Psalm 80:8 nlt

You brought us from Egypt like a grapevine;
you drove away the pagan nations and transplanted us into your land.

Psalm 80 verses

Psalm 80 8 Meaning

Psalm 80:8 depicts the historical acts of God in bringing His people, Israel, out of bondage in Egypt and establishing them in the promised land. It portrays Israel metaphorically as a vine, directly attributing its transplantation, the expulsion of previous inhabitants, and its firm planting in Canaan to God's mighty hand and sovereign will.

Psalm 80 8 Context

Psalm 80 is a communal lament, a heartfelt plea to God for national restoration. It opens with an appeal to the Shepherd of Israel to "restore us" (v. 3, 7, 19). The nation is suffering deep distress, expressed through weeping and eating "the bread of tears" (v. 5). In verse 8, the psalmist recalls God's foundational acts of faithfulness to His people: the Exodus from Egypt and their secure establishment in the promised land through the divine expulsion of native inhabitants. This historical recollection serves as a powerful reminder to God of His past redemptive actions and a basis for the prayer for intervention in the present crisis, where the vine (Israel) is now threatened and seemingly abandoned (v. 12-13). The metaphor of Israel as a vine or vineyard is rich and recurring in Scripture, often used to depict God's tender care and deliberate cultivation of His chosen people, contrasted with their often-disappointing fruitfulness or His subsequent judgment. The historical context reflects a time when Israel faced significant external threats or internal decay, possibly during the Assyrian or Babylonian periods, seeking God's divine favor and protection as in the days of their initial planting.

Psalm 80 8 Word analysis

• You brought a vine:

  • You (אֵלֶ֙יךָ֙ - 'êleyḵā; also implicit in verb conjugation): Refers to God, explicitly emphasizing divine agency. This direct address underscores God's singular power and initiative in the foundational events of Israel's history.
  • brought (נָסַ֥עְתָּ - nāsa‘tā): Implies a journey, a careful removal and transportation. It signifies a deliberate and powerful act of liberation, not just a casual transfer. This verb is often used for journeys, setting out, or pulling up (stakes/camp).
  • a vine (גֶּ֭פֶן - gefen): A profoundly significant metaphor for Israel. In the ancient Near East, the vine symbolized prosperity, fruitfulness, and national identity. God choosing a vine signifies His desire for Israel to be productive, bearing fruit for His glory. This imagery connects Israel directly to God's care as the vinedresser.

• out of Egypt:

  • out of Egypt (מִמִּצְרַיִם - mimmiṣrayim): Specifies the geographical origin of the "vine." This is the historical bedrock of Israel's identity and covenant with God. Egypt represents a place of oppression, slavery, and paganism from which God uniquely delivered His people, demonstrating His power over all other deities. It's a foundational act of redemption.

• you drove out:

  • you drove out (תְּגָרֵ֣שׁ - t'gārēš): Signifies a forceful, definitive expulsion. The Hebrew verb implies violence and complete displacement, showing God's sovereign might over the existing inhabitants of the land. This was not a slow emigration but a divine command executed by divine power. It emphasizes God's holiness and His judgment on the Canaanite nations for their wickedness.

• the nations:

  • the nations (גּוֹיִ֖ם - gōyīm): Refers to the various pagan inhabitants of Canaan (e.g., Amorites, Hittites, Jebusites, Perizzites). Their expulsion by divine power directly refutes any claim of indigenous deities being superior or equally powerful to Yahweh. It highlights God's unique authority over lands and peoples.

• and planted it:

  • and planted it (וַתִּטָּעֵֽהוּ - waṭṭaṭṭā‘ēhū): Signifies God's deliberate, intentional establishment of Israel in the promised land. Planting is an act of permanence, care, and expectation of growth and fruit. It emphasizes God's proprietary rights and His commitment to His covenant people. This act transformed Israel from a nomadic people into an established nation rooted in its own land.

Psalm 80 8 Bonus section

The vine imagery used for Israel (e.g., Isa 5, Jer 2, Hos 10, Psa 80) serves multiple theological purposes. It illustrates God's loving care and covenant relationship, His expectation of spiritual fruitfulness (righteousness, justice), and the painful reality of Israel's frequent failure to live up to this divine expectation, often leading to divine judgment (the vine being "broken down" or "cut off"). In the New Testament, Jesus transforms this imagery by declaring, "I am the true vine" (Jn 15:1), reorienting the concept from ethnic Israel to Himself as the center of God's people. Believers, as branches, are now called to abide in Him to bear spiritual fruit. This highlights a continuity and a progression in God's redemptive plan: the ultimate fulfillment of God's perfect vine (Israel) is found in Christ.

Psalm 80 8 Commentary

Psalm 80:8 offers a concise, potent summary of God's redemptive work for Israel. By portraying Israel as a vine, the psalmist invokes a rich agricultural metaphor, immediately drawing a connection between God and His people as a Vinedresser to His cultivated plant. "You brought a vine out of Egypt" refers to the Exodus, God's mighty liberation of His people from slavery, establishing the unique bond between Him and Israel. This act was not merely an escape but a divine extraction, preparing Israel for a new purpose. Subsequently, "you drove out the nations" speaks to the conquest of Canaan, where God actively cleared the land of its pagan inhabitants, not by Israel's might alone, but by His sovereign decree and power. This underscores His unique status as the God of all nations and His holy judgment against wickedness. Finally, "and planted it" signifies God's intentional and enduring establishment of Israel in the Promised Land. This was an act of deliberate cultivation, securing His chosen people in a place of His provision and care, where they were expected to thrive and bear fruit. The verse thus sets up the deep irony and lament of Psalm 80: Israel, once meticulously planted and cherished by God, is now seemingly vulnerable and suffering, prompting the plea for divine intervention and restoration, reminiscent of His past acts of profound faithfulness.