Psalms 80:3

“Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”

1. Context of Psalm 80: Psalm 80 is a psalm of Asaph, which is a prayer for the restoration and deliverance of God’s people, Israel. It was likely written during a time of national distress, possibly after the Assyrian invasion or the Babylonian exile. The psalmist pleads for God’s intervention, acknowledging that salvation and restoration can only come from God.

2. “Turn us again, O God”:The psalmist begins by acknowledging the need for divine intervention. The phrase “Turn us again” can also be translated as “Restore us” or “Revive us.” It expresses the psalmist’s desire for God to bring His people back to a state of blessing and favour. This plea recognizes that Israel had turned away from God and seeks His mercy and forgiveness.

3. “Cause thy face to shine”:The psalmist appeals to God to let His face shine upon His people. In the Old Testament, the shining face of God represents His favour, blessing, and the manifestation of His presence. The psalmist is essentially asking God to restore His favour and blessings upon His people, as they had experienced in the past.

4. “And we shall be saved”:The psalmist acknowledges that true salvation and deliverance come from God alone. The salvation mentioned here is not only physical deliverance from enemies but also restoration of the covenant relationship with God. The psalmist recognizes that without God’s intervention, their situation is hopeless, but with His favour, they will be saved.