Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19

Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19
Ordinary C38

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To the leader:A on Lilies, a Covenant.B Of Asaph.C A Psalm.D

Notes on superscript

A “leader” = natsach. Properly, something that glitters from a distance. So, something that stands out, excels, has status/standing (such as a chief musician or superintendent of Temple services). This can also mean to be permanent or enduring.
B “Lilies, a Covenant” = Shushan Eduth. 2x in OT. From shushan (lily, Shoshan, or Shoshannah; other flowers that look like lilies, architecture decoration in the shape of a lily, a musical tune, or trumpets due to the similar appearance); {perhaps from sus (to rejoice, be glad; properly, to be bright or cheerful)} + eduth (testimony, ordinance, decree, warning, or witness); {from ed (witness, testimony, recorder); from ud (to admonish, repeat, duplicate, testify, restore, record, relieve)}. This is perhaps “lily of testimony.” It might be the name of a song tune to be used when singing this psalm.
C “Asaph” = Asaph. From asaph (to gather, assemble, bring, take away, destroy, or remove). This is Asaph, meaning “gatherer” or “collector.” It is a personal name.
D “Psalm” = mizmor. From zamar (making music; used specially of music to worship God; music with singing, singing praise, singing psalms); may be from zamar (to trim or prune). This is a melody or a psalm.

Give ear,E O ShepherdF of Israel,G

Notes on verse 1a

E “give ear” = azan. Perhaps from ozen (ear, hearing, audience, show; properly, broadness – applied to its ear in reference to its shape). Properly, this is to expand or broaden one’s ear i.e. listen intently, pay attention, heed.
F “Shepherd” = ra’ah. This is to tend a flock, pasture, or graze. It can mean to rule or to associate with someone. Figuratively, it can be ruler or teacher.
G “Israel” = Yisrael. From sarah (to persist, exert oneself, contend, persevere, wrestle, prevail) + el (God or god). This is Israel, meaning God strives or one who strives with God; new name for Jacob and for his offspring. This refers to the people and to the land.

    you who leadH JosephI like a flock!J

Notes on verse 1b

H “lead” = nahag. This is to drive as in driving flocks, but also driving in animal or vehicle like a chariot. It can mean to carry away, lead, drive away, proceed, or guide. It can also relate to behavior and what one is accustomed to.
I “Joseph” = Yoseph. From yasaph (to add, increase, continue, exceed). This is Joseph, meaning “he increases” or “let him add.”
J “flock” = tson. This is a flock of sheep and goats.

You who are enthronedK upon the cherubim,L shine forthM

Notes on verse 1c

K “enthroned” = yashab. This is to sit and so to remain and so to dwell. It is sitting for any reason – as a judge, in order to ambush, or just sitting quietly. Causatively, this can mean settling or marrying. This can also mean continue, endure, or establish.
L “cherubim” = kerub. Perhaps related to Akkadian (“to bless” or “one who blesses”). This is a cherub – perhaps a class of angels. See https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%D7%9B%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%91#Hebrew
M “shine forth” = yapha. 8x in OT. This is to shine out beams, look favorably.

    beforeN EphraimO and BenjaminP and Manasseh.Q

Notes on verse 2a

N “before” = paneh. From panah (to turn, face, appear). This is face in a literal or figurative sense. It could be face, presence, anger, respect. It can also be used of God to indicate divine favor or presence.
O “Ephraim” = Ephrayim. From the same as epher (ashes or dust – properly something strewn) OR from parah (to grow, increase, be fruitful in a literal or figurative sense). This is Ephraim, one of Joseph’s sons, his descendants, and their land.
P “Benjamin” = Binyamin. From ben (son, age, child); {from banah (to build)} + from yamin (right hand or side; that which is stronger or more agile; the south); {perhaps yamam (to go or choose the right, use the right hand; to be physically fit or firm)}. This is Benjamin, meaning “son of the right hand.” It could refer to Benjamin himself, his offspring, their tribe, or their territory.
Q “Manasseh” = Menashsheh. From nashah (to forget, neglect, remove, deprive). This is Manasseh, literally “causing to forget.” It is Manasseh, his tribe, or the lands of the tribe.

Stir upR your might,S
    and comeT to saveU us!

Notes on verse 2b

R “stir up” = ur. This is to arise, lift, exult, or stir. It is to wake in a literal or figurative sense.
S “might” = geburah. From gabar (to be strong or mighty; to prevail or be insolent). This is force in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be strength, power, courage, triumph, victory, or mastery.
T “come” = halak. This is go, come, walk. It is walk literally and figuratively and includes people and animals. It can be used figuratively for one’s moral life – how we walk according to God’s way or against it. It can also refer to the walk of life as in the course one’s life takes, the choices we make, etc.
U “save” = yeshuah. From yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue, be safe. Properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. Used causatively, it means to free). This is salvation, deliverance, health, victory, prosperity.

You broughtV a vineW out of Egypt;X
    you drove outY the nationsZ and plantedAA it.

Notes on verse 8

V “brought” = nasa. This is to lift in a broad sense, literally and figuratively. So it could be to carry, take, or arise. It could also be bring forth, advance, accept.
W “vine” = gephen. Root may mean to twine or bend. So, it is a vine, particularly referring to grapes.
X “Egypt” = Mitsrayim. Perhaps from matsor (besieged or fortified place, bulwark, entrenchment; something hemmed in; a siege or distress or fastness); from tsur (to confine, besiege, to cramp). This is Egypt.
Y “drove out” = garash. This is to cast out or expel. It can be to exile someone or to divorce them.
Z “nations” = goy. From the same root as gevah (the back, person, or body); related to gev (among); related to gaah (to rise up). This is nation or people. Often used to refer to Gentiles or foreign nations. It can also be used figuratively for a group of animals. This is where the Yiddish “goy” comes from.
AA “planted” = nata. To fix or fasten, establish or plant. This is planting in a literal or figurative sense.

You cleared the groundBB forCC it;
    it took deep rootDD and filledEE the land.FF

Notes on verse 9

BB “cleared the ground” = panah. Related to “before” in v2. See note N above.
CC “for” = paneh. Same as “before” in v2. See note N above.
DD “took deep root” = sharash + shoresh. Sharash is 8x in OT. From shoresh (a root, depth, line, heel, bottom; root in a literal or figurative sense). This is to root into soil or uproot. Shoresh is perhaps from sharash (see above). This is a root, depth, line, heel, bottom. It is root in a literal or figurative sense.
EE “filled” = male. This is fill, satisfy, replenish, accomplish, fulfill, confirm, or consecrate. It is fill in a literal or figurative sense.
FF “land” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.

10 The mountainsGG were coveredHH with its shade,II
    the mightyJJ cedarsKK with its branches;LL

Notes on verse 10

GG “mountains” = har. From harar (hill or mountain). This is mountain, hill, hilly region.
HH “covered” = kasah. This is to cover, conceal, overwhelm. It is to cover as clothes do or to hide a secret.
II “shade” = tsel. From tsalal (to be or become dark, shade; this is the shade as during twilight or shadow as associated with something opaque). This is shade in a literal or figurative sense. So, it could be shadow, shade, protection, shelter, or defense.
JJ “mighty” = el. Related to “Israel” in v1. See note G above.
KK “cedars” = erez. Perhaps from araz (made from cedar; to be firm, strong). This is cedar or a cedar tree as strong.
LL “branches” = anaph. 7x in OT. This is a branch or bough – something that covers.

11 it sent outMM its branchesNN to the seaOO
    and its shootsPP to the River.QQ

Notes on verse 11

MM “sent out” = shalach. This is to send out, away, send for, forsake. It can also mean to divorce or set a slave free.
NN “branches” = qatsiyr. From qatsar (to cut down, be short, reap, curtail; used especially for harvesting grass or grain; figuratively, to be discouraged or grieve). This is branch, harvest, one who harvests. Properly, this means severed, reaped. It is the crop being harvested, the time of harvest or the one who harvests. It can also be a bough.
OO “sea” = yam. Root may mean to roar. This is the sea, often referring to the Mediterranean. It comes from the root in the sense of the roar of crashing surf. This word is sometimes used for rivers or other sources of water. It can mean to the west or to the south.
PP “shoots” = yoneqeth. 6x in OT. From yoneq (sapling, sucker); from yanaq (to suckle or to nurse; a nursing mother or for her suckling child.) This is a young shoot or twig.
QQ “River” = nahar. From nahar (to flow, sparkle, be cheerful). This is a stream, river, or flood. Particularly used for the Nile or Euphrates. Figuratively, this can mean prosperity.

12 Why then have you broken downRR its walls,SS
    so that allTT who pass alongUU the wayVV pluckWW its fruit?

Notes on verse 12

RR “broken down” = parats. This is to make a breach, burst out, compel, disperse. It is to break out literally or figuratively.
SS “walls” = gader. 11x in OT. From gadar (to build a wall or wall off, mason, repair, hedge, enclose; to wall in or wall around). This is any kind of enclosure – wall, fence, or hedge.
TT “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
UU “pass along” = abar. This is to pass over or cross over. It is used for transitions, whether literal or figurative. It can also mean to escape, alienate, or fail. This is the root verb from which “Hebrew” is drawn.
VV “way” = derek. From darak (to tread, march, to walk. Can also mean affixing a string to a box since one needs to step on it to bend it in the process; so also an archer). This is a road as a thing that is walked on. Can be used figuratively for the path that one’s life takes or how one chooses to live one’s life.
WW “pluck” = arah. 2x in OT. This is to gather or pluck.

13 The boarXX from the forestYY ravagesZZ it,
    and all that moveAAA in the fieldBBB feed onCCC it.

Notes on verse 13

XX “boar” = chazir. 7x in OT. May come from a word that means to enclose. This is a pig or boar.
YY “forest” = ya’ar. This is honeycomb, forest, thicket. Root may mean thick with green growth. It is a forest as a place where one would find honeycomb.
ZZ “ravages” = kirsem. 1x in OT. From kasam (to shear, trim). This is to eat away, tear off.
AAA “all that move” = ziyz. 3x in OT. This is moving things like animals, abundance, a full chest.
BBB “field” = sadeh. This is literally field, ground, soil, or land. It can be used to mean wild like a wild animal.
CCC “feed on” = ra’ah. Same as “Shepherd” in v1. See note F above.

14 Turn again,DDD O GodEEE of hosts;FFF

Notes on verse 14a

DDD “turn again” = shub + na. Shub is to turn back, return, turn away – literally or figuratively. Doesn’t necessarily imply going back to where you started from. This is also the root verb for the Hebrew word for repentance “teshubah.” Na is a particle is used for requests or for urging. It can be we pray, now, I ask you, oh. This is the same “na” in “hosanna.”
EEE “God” = Elohim. Related to “Israel” in v1 & “mighty” in v10. See note G above.
FFF “hosts” = tsaba. From tsaba (to wage war, serve, assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait on). This is a large group of persons (used figuratively for a group of things). It implies a campaign literally as with army, war, warfare, battle, company, soldiers. Can also be used figuratively for hardship or for worship.

    look downGGG from heavenHHH and see;III
have regardJJJ for this vine,

Notes on verse 14b

GGG “look down” = nabat. This is to behold, look at intently, consider, or scan. It can mean to have respect or regard someone favorably.
HHH “heaven” = shamayim. Root may mean being lofty. This is sky, the air, or heaven. It is in a dual noun form so this might refer to the part of the sky where the clouds move on the one hand and the part beyond that where the sun, moon, and stars are on the other hand.
III “see” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
JJJ “have regard” = paqad. This is to attend to or visit – can be used for a friendly or violent encounter. So, it can be to oversee, care for, avenge, or charge.

15     the stockKKK that your right handLLL planted.MMM

Notes on verse 15

KKK “stock” = kannah. 1x in OT. From the same as ken (gnat, manner); from kanan (vineyard, plant). This is a shoot or plant set in a place.
LLL “right hand” = yamin. Related to “Benjamin” in v2. See note P above.
MMM Some manuscripts add the same as v17b, “the one whom you made strong for yourself” = al + ben + amets. Ben is related to “Benjamin” in v2. See note P above. Amets is to be strong, stout, alert, or bold, It can also mean harden, make firm, be courageous or mighty, fortify, or establish. It can refer to physical alertness or mental courage or steadfastness.

16 It has been burnedNNN with fire;OOO it has been cut down;PPP
    may they perishQQQ at the rebukeRRR of your countenance.SSS

Notes on verse 16

NNN “burned” = saraph. This is to burn or kindle. This is the root that “seraphim” comes from.
OOO “fire” = esh. This is fire, burning, flaming, hot. It is fire in a literal or figurative sense.
PPP “cut down” = kasach. 2x in OT. This is to cut off, down, or up.
QQQ “perish” = abad. To wander off, lose self. This implies to perish, destroy, die, vanish, or be broken or corrupt.
RRR “rebuke” = gearah. 15x in OT. From gaar (to rebuke, corrupt, or chide). This is a rebuke, reproof, or threat.
SSS “countenance” = paneh. Same as “before” in v2. See note N above.

17 But let your handTTT beUUU upon the oneVVV at your right hand,
    the oneWWW whom you made strongXXX for yourself.

Notes on verse 17

TTT “hand” = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
UUU “be” = hayah. This is to be or become, to happen.
VVV “one” = ish. Perhaps from enosh (human, humankind, mortal); from anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.
WWW “one” = ben + adam. Ben is the same as {untranslated} in v15. See note MMM above. Adam is perhaps from adam (to be red, make ruddy); related to adamah (ground, dirt, earth). This is man, humankind, also Adam’s name. It refers to a human individual or humanity.
XXX “made strong” = amets. Same as {untranslated} in v15. See note MMM above.

18 Then we will never turn backYYY from you;
    give us life,ZZZ and we will callAAAA on your name.BBBB

Notes on verse 18

YYY “turn back” = sug. 14x in OT. This is to turn back, aside, or away. Properly, it means to flinch, which implies moving away or going back. Literally it can mean retreat or figuratively it can mean backslide i.e. apostatize.
ZZZ “give…life” = chayah. This is to live or keep alive in a literal or figurative sense. So, it can be revive, nourish, or save.
AAAA “call” = qara. This is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth.
BBBB “name” = shem. May be from sum (to put, place, set). This is name, fame, renown. A name was thought to indicate something essential about a person – something about their individuality. So, this word can also mean honor, authority, or character.

19 RestoreCCCC us, O LordDDDD God of hosts;
    let your faceEEEE shine,FFFF that we may be saved.GGGG

Notes on verse 19

CCCC “restore” = shub. Same as “turn again” in v14. See note DDD above.
DDDD “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “be” in v17. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (see note UUU above). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.
EEEE “face” = paneh. Same as “before” in v2. See note N above.
FFFF “let…shine” = or. This is to light, shine, set on fire – to be luminous in a literal or figurative sense.
GGGG “be saved” = yasha. Related to “save” in v2. See note U above.


Image credit: “Forest Brook” by Friedrich Gauermann, before 1862.

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