Psalms 80:14

Authorized King James Version

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Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine;

Original Language Analysis

אֱלֹהִ֣ים we beseech thee O God H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים we beseech thee O God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 1 of 10
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
צְבָאוֹת֮ of hosts H6635
צְבָאוֹת֮ of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 2 of 10
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שֽׁ֫וּב Return H7725
שֽׁ֫וּב Return
Strong's: H7725
Word #: 3 of 10
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
נָ֥א H4994
נָ֥א
Strong's: H4994
Word #: 4 of 10
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
הַבֵּ֣ט look down H5027
הַבֵּ֣ט look down
Strong's: H5027
Word #: 5 of 10
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
מִשָּׁמַ֣יִם from heaven H8064
מִשָּׁמַ֣יִם from heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 6 of 10
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
וּרְאֵ֑ה and behold H7200
וּרְאֵ֑ה and behold
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 7 of 10
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
וּ֝פְקֹ֗ד and visit H6485
וּ֝פְקֹ֗ד and visit
Strong's: H6485
Word #: 8 of 10
to visit (with friendly or hostile intent); by analogy, to oversee, muster, charge, care for, miss, deposit, etc
גֶּ֣פֶן this vine H1612
גֶּ֣פֶן this vine
Strong's: H1612
Word #: 9 of 10
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
זֹֽאת׃ H2063
זֹֽאת׃
Strong's: H2063
Word #: 10 of 10
this (often used adverb)

Analysis & Commentary

The psalm pleads: "Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine" (Hebrew Elohim Tseva-ot shuv-na habet mi-shamayim u-r'eh u-foqed gefen zot). "Return" (Hebrew shuv) begs God to turn back from judgment. "Look down from heaven" appeals to God's transcendent position. "Behold" requests attentive observation. "Visit" (Hebrew paqad) means to attend with action—inspection leading to intervention. The "vine" is Israel (Psalm 80:8-16, Isaiah 5:1-7).

Historical Context

The vine metaphor for Israel appears throughout prophets (Isaiah 5, Jeremiah 2:21, Ezekiel 15, 17, 19, Hosea 10:1). Jesus claimed to be the "true vine" (John 15:1-8), with believers as branches. God planted Israel as choice vine, but it produced wild grapes. The plea for God to "visit" His vine requests restoration after judgment. Christ's coming was ultimate divine visitation (Luke 1:68, 78, 7:16).

Questions for Reflection