Psalms 80:9

Authorized King James Version

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Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land.

Original Language Analysis

פִּנִּ֥יתָ Thou preparedst H6437
פִּנִּ֥יתָ Thou preparedst
Strong's: H6437
Word #: 1 of 6
to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc
לְפָנֶ֑יהָ room before H6440
לְפָנֶ֑יהָ room before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 2 of 6
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַתַּשְׁרֵ֥שׁ root H8327
וַתַּשְׁרֵ֥שׁ root
Strong's: H8327
Word #: 3 of 6
to root, i.e., strike into the soil, or (by implication) to pluck from it
שָׁ֝רָשֶׁ֗יהָ it and didst cause it to take deep H8328
שָׁ֝רָשֶׁ֗יהָ it and didst cause it to take deep
Strong's: H8328
Word #: 4 of 6
a root (literally or figuratively)
וַתְּמַלֵּא and it filled H4390
וַתְּמַלֵּא and it filled
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 5 of 6
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אָֽרֶץ׃ the land H776
אָֽרֶץ׃ the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 6 of 6
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis & Commentary

Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. This verse details God's horticultural care, emphasizing comprehensive preparation for Israel's flourishing. "Thou preparedst room" (pinnita lefaneha, פִּנִּיתָ לְפָנֶיהָ) uses panah (פָּנָה), meaning to clear, make clear, turn away—God cleared space by removing Canaanite nations. Like gardener removing rocks, weeds, and competing plants before transplanting choice vine, God prepared land specifically for Israel's planting.

"Didst cause it to take deep root" (vatashresh shorasheyha, וַתַּשְׁרֵשׁ שָׁרָשֶׁיהָ) emphasizes God's active role in Israel's establishment. Shoresh (שֹׁרֶשׁ) means root—foundation, source of nourishment, anchor against storms. The causative verb form indicates God made Israel take root; it wasn't Israel's achievement but God's gift. Deep roots enable withstanding drought, storms, and enemies—suggesting Israel's initial security stemmed from divine establishment, not human effort or military might.

"It filled the land" (vatimale-aretz, וַתִּמָּלֵא־אָרֶץ) describes initial prosperity fulfilling Genesis 15:18-21's promised extent—from Egypt's river to Euphrates. At Solomon's height, Israel's influence extended throughout the region (1 Kings 4:21, 24). The phrase recalls Genesis 1:28's creation mandate: "fill the earth." Israel was fulfilling divine purpose, spreading throughout promised territory like well-cultivated vine extending through vineyard. This establishes stark contrast with current devastation lamented in following verses.

Historical Context

Israel's territorial expansion reached its zenith under David and Solomon (circa 1010-930 BC), when the kingdom extended from the Euphrates to Egypt's border (1 Kings 4:21). Archaeological evidence confirms this period's prosperity—monumental building projects, international trade, cultural development. The united monarchy represented the vine's full flowering. Subsequent division (Northern and Southern kingdoms in 930 BC) and later Assyrian conquest of the north (722 BC) devastated this territorial extent, making the psalm's lament—"Why have you broken down her hedges?"—painfully relevant.

Questions for Reflection