30 Days in the PsalmsSýnishorn

Day #16: Psalm 80

One more time, we will pray with Asaph today. This time, we listen in as he leads the people in a plea for Israel’s restoration and salvation. The refrain that unifies the prayer, repeated three times, is: “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved” (vv. 3, 7, 19). Asaph was praying for Israel in its time of exile; Israel had gotten into that predicament because they had turned their back on God (v. 18). Restoration and salvation, in that context, meant a return to God first and foremost—and then a return to their land. God’s favor—his face shining upon them—meant that Israel would once again be able to fulfill its reason for being: a witness to the nations of God’s mercy, goodness, and saving power. In our Christian context, Asaph’s prayer is one that we might lift up for the church, the body of Christ.

One of the most outstanding characteristics of this prayer for God’s people is how Asaph uses God’s own words and God’s own past actions to “stir up God’s might” on Israel’s behalf. In the first section of the prayer (vv. 1–2), he reminds God of who he is: “This is who you are! You are the Shepherd of Israel, the one who leads your people like a flock! You are the King, the Holy One, the glorious shining One!” That is the basis for his plea for restoration and salvation—that God will act in accordance with who he is. In praying for the church, we can remind God, “You are the Lord and redeemer of the church! You are the One who bought her with the blood of your Son!”

Then, Asaph boldly reminds God that because God has chosen to be in an intimate, covenant relationship with Israel, the shame of Israel’s ongoing exile reflects on God’s own honor. It was God who “brought a vine out of Egypt” (v. 8), who planted and cultivated it and made it flourish (vv. 9–15). Israel’s restoration—its return from exile—will bring honor to God. As we pray for the church, we can remind God, “The church is your body! You have drawn together people from every tribe, tongue, people, and nation and made them into a kingdom of priests to give witness to the nations! The restoration and healing of the church will bring glory to your name!”

As Asaph leads Israel in this plea for restoration, he concludes with a commitment. Israel, once restored, “will never turn back” from God and will “call on God’s name.” As we join our brothers and sisters around the world in praying for the church, let us make the same commitment. Today is a good day to pray for the church!