Psalms, 80
9. Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,
9. Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me,
Psalm 80 is a poem that calls for restoration and salvation. The psalmist addresses God as the pastor of Israel and asks him to save his people from oppression and affliction. The poem ends with a prayer for the restoration of the nation, which had been destroyed by the enemies. Then there are five selected verses in order of proximity to the themes of the chapter, but excluding the verses of Psalm 80:
Isaiah 40:11: "As a pastor he will feed his flock; between his arms he will collect the lambs, and take them into his lap; those that breastfeed he will guide them softly." This verse describes God as a pastor who takes care of his flock with love and compassion, which is similar to the image of the pastor of Israel in Psalm 80.
Jeremiah 31:18: "Certainly, I heard Ephraim lament like this: You have punished me, and I was punished as a bull not yet tamed; I restore me, and I will be restored, because you are the Lord, my God." This verse shows the prayer of regret and request for restoration of Ephraim, a name often used to refer to Israel, which is similar to the Psalmist's prayer by restoration in Psalm 80.
Ezekiel 34:11: "For thus says the Lord God, Behold, I will seek my sheep myself, and seek them." This verse also describes God as a pastor who seeks his lost sheep, showing his compassion and care for his people.
Zechariah 10:6: "For I strengthen the house of Judah, and keep the house of Joseph, and make them come back, because I go to them; and they will be as if I have not rejected them; for I am the Lord, his God, and I will hear them. " This verse talks about God's compassion and his promise to restore his people, which is similar to the Psalmist prayer for salvation and restoration in Psalm 80.
Romans 8:23-24: "And not only her, but ourselves, who we have the firstfruits of the Spirit, also moan in ourselves, waiting for adoption, namely, the redemption of our body. Because in hope we have been saved." This verse talks about the hope of salvation and redemption, which is a central theme of Psalm 80, where the psalmist calls for salvation and restoration of the nation.
“Não se desencoraje, pois, se na alma existe o contínuo esforço de melhorar, no final o Senhor a premia fazendo nela florir, de repente, todas as virtudes como num jardim florido.” São Padre Pio de Pietrelcina
