Daily Devotions
Psalms
Psalm 80:10 "The hills were covered with its shadow..."
Day 188 – Psalm 80
“The hills were covered with its shadow…” Psalm 80:10
THE MAGNIFICENT GROWTH OF ISRAEL
How well did Israel grow when God blessed the nation? Let us read with awe the following description of Israel at its zenith.
“And it filled the land.
The hills were covered with its shadow,
And the mighty cedars with its boughs.”
Psalm 80:9c-10
1. “It filled the land”
a) The vine was blessed most significantly.
b) Israel’s golden years were:-
i) In the days of King David.
ii) And in the days of King Solomon (the earlier years of his reign).
2. Poetic license
a) The Vine had grown so tall the hills were covered by the shadow of the vine.
b) This is intended exaggeration to highlight Israel’s greatness (once upon a time).
3. “The hills”
a) They were symbols used in Biblical literature to symbolize strength.
b) They were now dwarfed by the greatness of Israel.
4. “The mighty cedars”
a) They are more associated with neighbouring Lebanon.
b) They were majestic for their height.
c) Cedar wood was used only in the finest of homes.
d) But the vine of Israel eclipsed the majesty of the cedar trees.
Asaph was appealing to God to restore Israel to its former glory. His prayer was lofty indeed. His love for the nation fueled his determination to plan for full restoration. Nothing less would suffice. Asaph knew that he would have to exercise all the faith he possessed to ensure success for Israel.