Restore Us, a Reflection on Psalm 80:1-2, 8-19

We continue with the metaphor of God as the farmer and God's people as the vineyard, "You plucked up a vine from Egypt...cleared a place for it; it took deep root...." The vine thrived so much that even mountains could be shaded by it. Then God became angered and knocked down the wall protecting the vine. Every passerby--animal or human--could pluck the fruit off the vine.

In the passage from Isaiah, God is lamenting, "What more could I have done to ensure a better yield? I hoped for justice and equity but saw injustice and iniquity instead."

In Psalm 80, the people are addressing God in a time of their suffering:

O God, of hosts, restore us; show Your favor that we may be delivered.

In the plea for help, they remind God, "You were the one who planted us here." Of course, God knows that, but, of course, sometimes we need to remind ourselves.

"Help us," they ask, "and next time we will not turn away from you." May we continue to pray this promise but may we also live in a way that keeps that promise.