King James Version

What Does Psalms 80:2 Mean?

Psalms 80:2 in the King James Version says “Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. come: Heb. come for salvation to us” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 80 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. come: Heb. come for salvation to us”

Psalms 80:2 · KJV

StrengthSalvation

Context

1

To the chief Musician upon Shoshannimeduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. of: or, for

2

Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. come: Heb. come for salvation to us

3

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

4

O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? be: Heb. smoke

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. This urgent plea invokes God's presence associated with the wilderness tabernacle's marching order. The tribal sequence—Ephraim, Benjamin, Manasseh—deliberately recalls Numbers 2:18-24, where these tribes camped on the tabernacle's west side behind the ark. When Israel marched, these tribes followed the ark, positioned to witness God's visible glory leading them (Numbers 10:22-24).

"Stir up thy strength" (orerah et-gevuratekha, עוֹרְרָה אֶת־גְּבוּרָתֶךָ) uses ur (עוּר), meaning to awake, rouse, stir up—not implying God sleeps but employing anthropomorphic language expressing urgency. The phrase parallels Psalm 44:23: "Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord?" The theology is bold: God appears inactive while His people suffer; therefore, awaken Your power, demonstrate Your strength on our behalf. Gevurah (גְּבוּרָה) emphasizes God's mighty acts, especially deliverance and warfare on Israel's behalf.

"Come and save us" (lekha lishu'atah lanu, לְכָה לִישׁוּעָתָה לָּנוּ) directly requests divine intervention—not distant sympathy but coming in person to rescue. The verb yasha (יָשַׁע, save) is root of Yeshua (Jesus), emphasizing deliverance, salvation, spacious relief from distress. The plural "us" indicates corporate lament: the entire community faces crisis requiring God's manifest presence and power. The verse asserts: as You led our fathers victoriously through wilderness, come lead us now to deliverance.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 80 is attributed to Asaph, a Levitical worship leader under David (1 Chronicles 25:1-2). The psalm likely originates from the Northern Kingdom crisis—either the Assyrian conquest of 722 BC (when Ephraim and Manasseh's tribal territories were destroyed) or earlier Aramean oppression under kings like Hazael. The specific mention of northern tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh) alongside Benjamin suggests concerns about Israel's northern territories. The vineyard imagery throughout Psalm 80 reflects Isaiah 5's vineyard parable, both addressing national judgment and hope for restoration.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically to ask God to 'stir up' His strength when He never actually sleeps or loses power?
  2. How does recalling God's past mighty acts (wilderness journey, ark leading Israel) strengthen faith when facing present crises?
  3. Why might the psalmist invoke these specific tribes, and how does corporate identity shape communal lament?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
לִפְנֵ֤י1 of 10

“Before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֶפְרַ֨יִם׀2 of 10

“Ephraim”

H669

ephrajim, a son of joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּבִנְיָ֘מִ֤ן3 of 10

“and Benjamin”

H1144

binjamin, youngest son of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וּמְנַשֶּׁ֗ה4 of 10

“and Manasseh”

H4519

menashsheh, a grandson of jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory

עוֹרְרָ֥ה5 of 10

“stir up”

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 10
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גְּבֽוּרָתֶ֑ךָ7 of 10

“thy strength”

H1369

force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory

וּלְכָ֖ה8 of 10
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לִישֻׁעָ֣תָה9 of 10

“and save”

H3444

something saved, i.e., (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity

לָּֽנוּ׃10 of 10
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 80:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 80:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 35:23Numbers 2:18-24Psalms 44:23-26Isaiah 42:13-14Psalms 78:38Isaiah 25:9

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