Text: Psalm 80:1-7
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, Stir up Your strength, And come and save us! Restore us, O God; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved! O Lord God of hosts, How long will You be angry Against the prayer of Your people? You have fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in great measure. You have made us a strife to our neighbors, And our enemies laugh among themselves. Restore us, O God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!
Devotion
The people of the kingdom of Judah here pray for the kingdom of Israel, who were carried away to Assyria. “And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it” (1Co 12:26). – Just as Jesus has taught us to pray using the name “Our Father” to strengthen our faith in prayer, so the Spirit here calls Israel’s God by glorious names, to strengthen praying hearts. “Shepherd of Israel,” shouldn’t He care for His people? He “who dwells between the cherubim,” shall He not be able to save? “The Lord” (Jehovah, Yahweh, the eternally Steadfast), – “God” (Elohim, the most Glorious, the heavenly Majesty), – God of Hosts, “Sabaoth” (Ruler over all the hosts of heaven and earth), in Him who bears these names and is what He is called, in Him Israel hopes.
And shall His anger continue to rage over His people when their prayers and incense rise up to Him? Shall He let His vine that He planted with great care be destroyed by the heathen? No, it is blessed and shall be blessed! The psalmist has the praying congregation repeat three times: “Restore us, O Lord God of hosts; Cause Your face to shine, And we shall be saved!” (Psa 80:19). Thus he reminds us of Numbers 6:22-27, where it says: “And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the way you shall bless the children of Israel. Say to them: The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.’ So they shall put My name on the children of Israel, and I will bless them.”
The Lord, the Lord, the Lord, – we understand that here is the Trinity. Ancient Israel also had some understanding of this. But our articles of faith express this blessing so beautifully. Therefore we can pray for God’s Israel, His Church on earth, with clearer view and more certain faith than they. It is sure: the almighty triune God is the Shepherd of the Church and leads us on the paths of salvation, no matter how long His anger rages, so that our prayers do not seem to come near Him. Yet a while “our enemies mock with delight” and ask: “Where is your God?” But His righteous judgment certainly is there, even if it is hidden to the world, and it shall be said to Zion: “Fear not, don’t let your hands droop. The Lord, your God, is within you, a power that shall save. He shall rejoice in you, He shall rest for the sake of His love, He shall rejoice over you with a song of joy.”
Closing Prayer
We praise You, God, and pray: Reveal Your glory. Protect what Your right hand has planted, and keep us alive, that we may call on Your name. Amen.
Hymn
And we at last shall see the day
Of Jesus’ last returning;
For God’s elect a glorious day
For which we now are yearning,
When the archangel’s voice sounds forth,
God’s trumpet heav’n is rending,
The saints arise to heaven’s port
To glory without ending.
God, strengthen me in this true faith
In Jesus’ expiation;
Let me find courage ‘gainst all death
Nor fear Your condemnation!
In ev’ry woe I comfort me,
In shame and worst dishonor,
That I indeed my God shall see;
How blest shall be that hour!
Kingo: Min Sjæl vær lystig Glad og Fro L 574:5.10 tr. DeGarmeaux;
tune: Durch Adams Fall (ELH 430); alternate hymn: O Son of God, we wait for Thee ELH 536:1-2