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the root your right hand planted

Psalm 80:8-19 (JDV)

Psalm 80:8 You dug up a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.
Psalm 80:9 You cleared a place for it; it took root and filled the land.
Psalm 80:10 The mountains were covered by its shade, and the mighty cedars with its branches.
Psalm 80:11 It sent out sprouts toward the Sea and shoots toward the River.
Psalm 80:12 Why did you break down its walls so that all who pass by pick its fruit?
Psalm 80:13 Boars from the forest tear at it and creatures of the field feed on it.
Psalm 80:14 Return, God of Armies. Look down from the sky and see; take care of this vine,
Psalm 80:15 the root your right hand planted, the son that you made strong for yourself.
Psalm 80:16 It has been cut down and burned; they were destroyed at the rebuke of your countenance.
Psalm 80:17 Let your hand be with the man at your right hand, with the son of Adam you have made strong for yourself.
Psalm 80:18 Then we will not turn away from you; give us life, and we will call on your name.
Psalm 80:19 Restore us, Yahveh, God of Armies; make your face shine on us, so that we can be rescued.

the root your right hand planted

The imagery of this prayer is beautiful. It compares God with a gardener who transplanted a vine from Egypt. The psalmist prays for God to attend to his plant, which the nations have cut down and burned.

Of particular interest is the prayer in verse 17: “Let your hand be with the man at your right hand, with the son of Adam you have made strong for yourself.”

God’s answer to that prayer was to send his Son. By the work of Christ on the cross, rescue has come, and is coming.

LORD, thank you for letting your hand be with the man at your right hand, with the son of Adam you have made strong for yourself.