Psalms 80:2
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us.
Original Language Analysis
לִפְנֵ֤י
Before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֤י
Before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
1 of 10
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶפְרַ֨יִם׀
Ephraim
H669
אֶפְרַ֨יִם׀
Ephraim
Strong's:
H669
Word #:
2 of 10
ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּבִנְיָ֘מִ֤ן
and Benjamin
H1144
וּבִנְיָ֘מִ֤ן
and Benjamin
Strong's:
H1144
Word #:
3 of 10
binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
and Manasseh
H4519
וּמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה
and Manasseh
Strong's:
H4519
Word #:
4 of 10
menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
גְּבֽוּרָתֶ֑ךָ
thy strength
H1369
גְּבֽוּרָתֶ֑ךָ
thy strength
Strong's:
H1369
Word #:
7 of 10
force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory
וּלְכָ֖ה
H1980
וּלְכָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
8 of 10
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
Historical Context
Psalm 80 is attributed to Asaph, a Levitical worship leader under David (1 Chronicles 25:1-2). The psalm likely originates from the Northern Kingdom crisis—either the Assyrian conquest of 722 BC (when Ephraim and Manasseh's tribal territories were destroyed) or earlier Aramean oppression under kings like Hazael. The specific mention of northern tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh) alongside Benjamin suggests concerns about Israel's northern territories. The vineyard imagery throughout Psalm 80 reflects Isaiah 5's vineyard parable, both addressing national judgment and hope for restoration.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean practically to ask God to 'stir up' His strength when He never actually sleeps or loses power?
- How does recalling God's past mighty acts (wilderness journey, ark leading Israel) strengthen faith when facing present crises?
- Why might the psalmist invoke these specific tribes, and how does corporate identity shape communal lament?
Analysis & Commentary
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. This urgent plea invokes God's presence associated with the wilderness tabernacle's marching order. The tribal sequence—Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh—deliberately recalls Numbers 2:18-24, where these tribes camped on the tabernacle's west side behind the ark. When Israel marched, these tribes followed the ark, positioned to witness God's visible glory leading them (Numbers 10:22-24).
"Stir up thy strength" (orerah et-gevuratekha, עוֹרְרָה אֶת־גְּבוּרָתֶךָ) uses ur (עוּר), meaning to awake, rouse, stir up—not implying God sleeps but employing anthropomorphic language expressing urgency. The phrase parallels Psalm 44:23: "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?" The theology is bold: God appears inactive while His people suffer; therefore, awaken Your power, demonstrate Your strength on our behalf. Gevurah (גְּבוּרָה) emphasizes God's mighty acts, especially deliverance and warfare on Israel's behalf.
"Come and save us" (lekha lishu'atah lanu, לְכָה לִישׁוּעָתָה לָּנוּ) directly requests divine intervention—not distant sympathy but coming in person to rescue. The verb yasha (יָשַׁע, save) is root of Yeshua (Jesus), emphasizing deliverance, salvation, spacious relief from distress. The plural "us" indicates corporate lament: the entire community faces crisis requiring God's manifest presence and power. The verse asserts: as You led our fathers victoriously through wilderness, come lead us now to deliverance.