Ps. 80:1-7 OT notes

Ps. 80:1-7
why do we not preach on psalms more?
1) save us-This could be a good time to consider the depth of the word salvation. Woith the feast of the Incarnation approaching, it could be a good time to talk about its senses in this world, as well as the world to come.enthroned upon the cherubim-ark image from Ex. 25, is it a cosmic one as well?.

2) restore- this is repeated, always an important sign in Hebrew. face shine note how it works off the Aaronic blessing

3) fed with bread of tears is a most arresting image-who is fed with that bread right now?

4) angry=  smoke pouring out of nostrils (like a bull/dragon?) We moderns would not deign to use such a natural image, would we? What are some images of God that we use that may be sneered at as primitive in the future?How do you think God would be smoking mad with prayers? How do you interpret the angry/smoking hot God today? would it be their content or the context, as in Amos of prayers without justice?

5)Scorn in v. 6 is from Syriac, while the Hebrew would be  contention or strife (madon) a favored word in Proverbs..

6) One could play a bit with Asaph and maybe even make up a good story.

7) Limburg reminded me that the shepherd image is frequent in the Asaph psalms in the the seventies in particular.