08.07.2016 – Old Testament: Psa 80.0–2

To read the Bible in a year, read Psalms 79–81 on August 7, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

Psalms are both prayers and songs. Think on the song that Asaph wrote. Think of singing a message like this to the Lord,

To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm.
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!
Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
Stir up Your strength,
And come and save us!
(Psalm 80.0–2) 

Asaph sung to God that He would continue His leadership and save the tribes of Israel, naming the two younger ones, Joseph and Benjamin (Ephraim and Manasseh = Joseph). Asaph asked the Lord to shine forth, to let His glory shine through this whole episode of Israel’s history.

Questions:

• What do you think of or what do you picture, when Asaph asked the Lord to shine forth?
• Can we speak a similar prayer for the church?