Psalm 80

 Psalm 80

Have you ever had the occasion when you did something for someone you loved and they responded with a joyful and full-face smile?  Their expression and countenance indicated delight, affection, and approval.  We might say ‘their face glowed’; this is the concept behind the phrase “face to shine.”  This phrase appears three times in Psalm 80 (verses 3, 7, and 19).

Israel, in the midst of their painful Babylonian captivity, is desperate to sense God’s approval again.  The Psalmist describes Israel as a vineyard that was once glorious but is now in ruins.  But even in this deplorable state, there is hope.  That hope is in God’s intervention and mercy.  But this anticipated hope is not in a repeat performance of the Exodus that is described in verses 8-11.  The hope is in the ‘shoot’ and the ‘son’ mentioned in verse 15.  In verse 17 this hopeful one is described as the ‘son of man.’  This is the first time in the Old Testament that this title or description of Jesus is used in reference to Him.  

But we mustn’t miss the point.  In the redemptive work of Jesus, we enjoy the delight of God our Father.  Because of Jesus, God the Father’s “face shines” on us. Because we are in Jesus, God looks on us with delight, affection, and approval.  

“Thank You, God, for the work of Your Son Jesus, the Son of Man, so that You are delighted in me. Amen.”