ChosenRebel's Blog

Sunday Evening Musings

I have seen this pattern before in the Psalms. Next week, I will trace down some of the other examples.  For now, I just want to focus on a simple observation. There is a repeated chorus with an interesting pattern. With each repetition of the chorus, the description of God expands. From the Elohim (God) of verse 3, it expands the Elohim of hosts (God of hosts) in verse 7, and then to God of hosts in verse 14, is added the phrase “we beseech You,” and then finally in verse 19, there is a further expansion to “LORD God of hosts” (YHWH of hosts).  I have arranged them below to see it all together. The changes between the verses are in bold blue or light blue and underlined.

Psalm 80:3

³ O God, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us,
and we will be saved.

Psalm 80:7

⁷ O God of hosts, restore us
And cause Your face to shine upon us,
and we will be saved.

Psalm 80:14

¹⁴ O God of hosts, turn again now, we beseech You;
Look down from heaven and see,
and take care of this vine.

Psalm 80:19
¹⁹ O Lord God of hosts, restore us;
Cause Your face to shine upon us,
and we will be saved.

The largest change is in verse 14, with the second line in the verse being completely changed for an approximation of the original second line in different words. The effect of these changes is to heighten the expression of passion in the chorus, as if the singer is growing not only in his understanding of God, but also of his passion for and faith in the God to whom he prays.

There is so much more to learn and meditate upon in this Psalm. But for tonight, I will stop here with a prayer.

Prayer

“Lord, would you expand my vision of You with every study, every glance at Your word. Make my passion for you continue to grow, to deepen, to lengthen, so that my songs like Asaph’s would be filled with confidence in You and Your power to restore. Save my people and me for Your name’s sake, O LORD God of hosts, so that many will call upon Your name.”