A Shining Face in Psalm 80 Is the Answer to Tears

“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.” Psalm 80:1

Asaph seeks the ear of the Shepherd, the leader of the flock. He seeks an audience with the King. The one who governs life, his life, is enthroned above all, and Asaph asks God to shine forth. Reveal his glory. Glorify yourself, God, but come to our aid. He implores God to stir up his might and come to our rescue.

“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” Psalm 80:3

Broken, we require restoration. We cannot save ourselves. Broken, we cannot heal ourselves. Facing loss, we need his face to shine upon us. Brokenness can only be overturned by salvation from the hand of God.

“O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers? You have fed them with the bread of tears and given them tears to drink in full measure.” Psalm 80:4-5

We need to recognize our poverty. We are helpless, hopeless to stand on our own righteousness. Impoverished people. We who deserve anger receive kindness. But in a broken world we endure with an already-but-not-yet salvation. We live in a world of pain with a promise.

So, we cry out, “How long?” If you’ve experienced loss you understand Asaph’s description of “the bread of tears” and “tears to drink in full measure.” Pain is persistent, pulsating. Unending. Indeed, how long?

Pain of loss seems to make you an object of scorn. Friends and neighbors seem to see you as damaged. In a moment. Enemies laugh together at you but behind your back. Or so it seems.

“Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” Psalm 80:7

There is something about a face. Love at first sight begins with a face. Mysterious. Beautiful. The very restoration, redemption, salvation, forgiveness, and reconciliation we seek is represented by his shining face.

It’s happened before. He brought a vine out of Egypt. He drove nations out. He cleared the ground, planted his vine, and it took deep root. The vine gave shade to mountains. It grew to the sea and to rivers. God nurtured his people in their new place. So, why abandonment? Why destruction? Again, that’s how living in a broken world seems to those enduring the pains of brokenness.

“Turn again, O God of hosts! Look down from heaven, and see; have regard for this vine, the stock that your right hand planted, and for the son whom you made strong for yourself.” Psalm 80:14-15

Asaph makes his case again. Pleading to his God. Imploring. Give ear to hear us. Turn again to consider our plight. Look down and see us. Let your face shine your kindnesses upon us. He is pleading with God to respond to the needs of his vine, his people. They have been burned and cut down. Brokenness has visited the people of God.

“But let your hand be on the man of your right hand, the son of man whom you have made strong for yourself! Then we shall not turn back from you; give us life, and we will call upon your name!” Psalm 80:17-18

With a beautiful glimpse into the future, Asaph is the messenger that a strong son of man will be granted to his vine. Life will be granted to us because there will be a name upon which we may call. Yes, brokenness is all around us. Loss. Death. Pain. Hopelessness. Helplessness.

But restoration, a shining face, salvation is ours because of the promise of a Savior. Our God of hosts gives ear to his people.

“Restore us, O Lord God of hosts! Let your face shine, that we may be saved!” Psalm 80:19