By Jo-Ann Brant, professor of Bible, religion & philosophy
Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7 (NRSV)
Psalm 80 begins with a familiar metaphor, God the shepherd, but the imagery is unstable. The psalmist quickly moves to the use of shepherd as a metaphor for a king and shifts from a pastoral setting to a royal court. In contrast to Psalm 23, the people who speak do not experience God’s guidance and protection. These are the works of a people who feel God’s absence, a people in exile who call out for God’s presence and deliverance.
I recognize that this psalm was not written for me to pray but rather for me to hear. If my neighbor scorns me, it is because I have been complicit in feeding them with the bread of tears. If my enemies laugh at me, it is because I am like the fool in Ecclesiastes 7:4 who seeks out the house of mirth rather than the house of mourning. I know the answer to the psalmist’s question of how long the Lord God will be angry with my prayers. If I allow those who are in exile to drink from my cup that overflows, then I will feel the warmth of God’s face shine upon me because I will not need to turn away in shame because of my feasting.
In order to stand side by side with the Bethlehem shepherds to welcome our savior, I must also heed Jesus’ word in Matthew 5:23 and turn to them to ask permission to join their company.
Scripture: Psalm 80:1-7 (NRSV)
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
2before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh. Stir up your might, and come to save us!
3Restore us, O God; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
4O Lord God of hosts, how long will you be angry with your people’s prayers?
5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in full measure.
6You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
7Restore us, O God of hosts; let your face shine, that we may be saved.