Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Fourth Sunday of Advent A

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

Notes on superscription

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.

RestoreV us, O God;W
    let your faceX shine,Y that we may be saved.Z

Notes on verse 3

V “restore” = shub. 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.”
W “God” = Elohim. Related to “Israel” in v1. See note G above.
X “face” = paneh. Same as “before” in v2. See note N above.
Y “let…shine” = or. This is to light, shine, set on fire – to be luminous in a literal or figurative sense.
Z “saved” = yasha. Related to “save” in v2. See note U above.

O LordAA God of hosts,BB
    how long will you be angryCC with your people’sDD prayers?EE

Notes on verse 4

AA “Lord” = YHVH. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (to come to pass, become, be). 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.
BB “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.
CC “be angry” = ashan. 6x in OT. From ashan (smoke, vapor, dust, or anger). This is to smoke or burn in a literal or figurative sense; to be angry.
DD “people’s” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.
EE “prayers” = tephillah. From palal (to judge for oneself or in an official capacity; to pray or make supplication, to entreat). This is prayer or intercession. It can also be a hymn.

You have fedFF them with the breadGG of tearsHH
    and given them tears to drinkII in full measure.JJ

Notes on verse 5

FF “fed” = akal. This is to eat, devour, burn up, or otherwise consume. It can be eating in a literal or figurative sense.
GG “bread” = lechem. From lacham (to eat, feed on). This is bread, food, loaf. It can refer to food more generally for people or for animals.
HH “tears” = dimah. From dema (juice, liquor); from dama (to weep). This is tears from weeping.
II “given…to drink” = shaqah. This is to give water to, to cause to drink – to irrigate, drown. It can be used for watering plants or giving water to flocks.
JJ “full measure” = shaliysh. 17x in OT. From shalosh (three, fork, triad). This is literally a third. So, it could refer to some kind of musical instrument like a triangle or a lute with three strings. It could also refer to a triple measure. Additionally, it could be a highly ranked person like a captain, lord, or prince.

You makeKK us the scornLL of our neighbors;MM
    our enemiesNN laughOO among themselves.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Notes on verses 6-7

KK “make” = sim. This is to put or place in a literal or figurative sense. It can be appoint, care, change, make, and may other things.
LL “scorn” = madon. 17x in OT. From din (to judge, defend, dispute, govern, quarrel, plead). This is contention, strife, quarrel.
MM “neighbors” = shaken. From shakan (to settle down in the sense of residing somewhere or staying there permanently; to abide or continue). This is resident or neighbor. It is related to mishkan, the Hebrew word for “tabernacle.”
NN “enemies” = oyeb. From ayab (to hate or be hostile to). This is a foe or enemy as one that you are hostile to.
OO “laugh” = laag. 19x in OT. This is to mock, deride, or laugh. It can also mean to stammer or speak incomprehensibly as though one were imitating a foreigner. So, it can be scorn or mock.

17 But let your handPP beQQ upon the oneRR at your right hand,SS
    the oneTT whom you made strongUU for yourself.

Notes on verse 17

PP “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.
QQ “be” = hayah. Related to “Lord” in v4. See note AA above.
RR “one” = ish. Perhaps from enosh (human, humankind, mortal); from anash (to be weak, sick, or frail). This is man, husband, another, or humankind.
SS “right hand” = yamin. Related to “Benjamin” in v2. See note P above.
TT “one” = ben + adam. Ben is related to “Benjamin” in v2. See note P 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.
UU “made strong” = amets. This 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.

18 Then we will never turn backVV from you;
    give us life,WW and we will callXX on your name.YY
19 Restore us, O Lord God of hosts;
    let your face shine, that we may be saved.

Notes on verses 18-19

VV “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.
WW “give…life” = chayah. This is to live or keep alive in a literal or figurative sense. So, it can be revive, nourish, or save.
XX “call” = qara. This is to call or call out – to call someone by name. Also used more broadly for calling forth.
YY “name” = shem. Related to “make” in v6. May be from sim (see note KK above). 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.


Image credit: “Sheep” by Franz Marc, 1912. Photo by Derbrauni, 2022.

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