Psalms 80:4
O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
O LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 8
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
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
3 of 8
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 8
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
מָתַ֥י
H4970
מָתַ֥י
Strong's:
H4970
Word #:
5 of 8
properly, extent (of time); but used only adverbially (especially with other particle prefixes), when (either relative or interrogative)
עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ
how long wilt thou be angry
H6225
עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ
how long wilt thou be angry
Strong's:
H6225
Word #:
6 of 8
to smoke, whether literal or figurative
Historical Context
The title "LORD God of hosts" emphasized divine sovereignty during periods when military defeat suggested divine weakness or abandonment. The question "how long?" particularly resonates with exile experience (70 years in Babylon) or northern kingdom's Assyrian oppression. The theological crisis—God apparently rejecting His people's prayers—appears in Isaiah 1:15 and Lamentations 3:8, 44, expressing the horrifying experience of prayers seemingly bouncing off closed heavens. This drives believers to examine covenant loyalty and seek deeper repentance.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians respond when prayers seem unheard and God appears angry rather than responsive?
- What does invoking God's sovereignty ('God of hosts') while questioning His actions reveal about faithful lament?
- How can prolonged 'how long?' seasons deepen rather than destroy faith when God seems silent?
Analysis & Commentary
O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? This lament uses God's full military title "LORD God of hosts" (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי צְבָאוֹת, Yahweh Elohei Tseva'ot)—emphasizing sovereignty over heavenly and earthly armies. The title appears 285 times in Scripture, predominantly in prophetic books addressing national crisis. By invoking this name, the psalmist appeals to God's supreme power: You command all forces, yet Your people remain oppressed—why?
"How long?" (ad-matai, עַד־מָתַי) expresses exasperation over prolonged suffering. This urgent question appears throughout Psalms (6:3; 13:1-2; 35:17; 74:10; 79:5; 89:46; 94:3), never receiving direct answer but modeling honest prayer that refuses passive resignation. The question challenges God to act consistently with His covenant character—You promised faithfulness; demonstrate it now.
The phrase "angry against the prayer of thy people" (ashanta bit'fillat amekha, עָשַׁנְתָּ בִּתְפִלַּת עַמֶּךָ) presents theological tension: prayer should elicit divine response, yet here God's anger seems directed against prayer itself. Ashan (עָשַׁן) means "to smoke"—God's anger smolders against the very prayers His people offer. The people pray, but heaven seems closed, suggesting deeper covenant rupture requiring resolution beyond superficial petition.