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“Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!” 

~ Psalm 80:3/7/19

 

This psalm that is not typically listed among the 'Messianic Psalms', but I would like to have you consider the prayerful refrain, repeated 3 times, “Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved!”  [v.3,7,19] This is clearly language intended to direct us toward considering the Messiah (the "anointed" deliverer).  Throughout this psalm four key images are used to describe God’s redemptive provision for his people: Shepherd, Vine, Son of Man at your right hand, Face of God.  The original audience (Israelites 950 years before Christ) would only have been able to see in part what we have the privilege of seeing in full...that Christ Jesus the Messiah is our Good Shepherd [John 10:11], the True Vine [John 15:1], the Son of Man seated at the Right Hand of God [Mark14:62], the Face of God shining the light of the gospel, revealing God’s glory and bringing salvation [Hebrews 1:3, 2 Corinthians 4:6].