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Advent Season · First Sunday of Advent · Year B

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Restore Us, O God

November 29, 2026

Shepherdess with her Flock, Jean-François Millet
Shepherdess with her Flock, Jean-François Millet, c. 1863Musée d’Orsay, Paris
A girl in a red cape knitting while her sheep graze behind her at dusk. It was the hit of the 1864 Salon, and made Millet's name after years of hostility.Micah's ruler from Bethlehem will feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, and Psalm 100 calls us the sheep of his pasture; this is what that work actually looks like.Jean-François MilletA founder of the Barbizon school (1814-1875), who painted peasant labour at a scale previously reserved for history painting and was attacked as a political radical for it.Musée d’Orsay, ParisThe Musée d’Orsay in Paris.Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Revised Common Lectionary
GospelMark 13:24-37Mk 13:24-37
Epistle1 Cor. 1:3-91 Cor 1:3-9
Old TestamentIsa. 64:1-9Is 64:1-9
PsalterPs. 80:1-7, 17-19Ps 80:1-7, 17-19

Overview & Insights

“Restore us, God Almighty; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” (Psalm 80:7)

The occasion underlying this corporate prayer psalm appears to be one of extreme national distress: passers-by ravage as they please, burning and destroying (vv. 12–13, 16). The people experience sorrow and strife (vv. 5–6). The question “How long?” implies that this tragedy has persisted for some time. As with most psalms, historical details are omitted so the psalm can be used for any similar national emergency (see the Additional Note).

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Take it further: Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19

Commentary

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19Ps 80:1-7, 17-19 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary commentary tracing the psalm's rising refrain of 'restore us' as an Advent plea for God's face to shine.

Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19Ps 80:1-7, 17-19 Center for Excellence in Preaching

A Reformed commentary on the communal lament that presses God about Israel's plight and begs for renewed favor.

Psalm 80Ps 80 Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse-by-verse evangelical commentary on the shepherd of Israel imagery and the cry to be restored and saved.

Background & Word Study

Psalm 80 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentaryPs 80 in Hebrew, with Jewish commentary Sefaria

The Hebrew text with English translation and linked Jewish commentary for word-level study.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 80, patristic commentaryPs 80, patristic commentary Catena

A verse-linked catena of early church interpretation of Psalm 80.

Questions preachers ask

What is the vine in Psalm 80?

The psalm remembers Israel as a vine God brought out of Egypt and planted, now broken down, and pleads for God to look down from heaven and restore it, sharing the vineyard image of the Isaiah reading.

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