Psalms 80:12

12 Why did you break down [the vineyard's] wall, so that all passing by can pluck [its fruit]?

Psalms 80:12 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 80:12

Why hast thou then broken down her hedges
After having done all this for her; which signifies the Lord's removing his presence, power, and protection, from Israel; which were the hedge he set about them, and by which they were secured and defended from their enemies; but these being gone, they became an easy prey to them; see ( Job 1:10 ) ( Isaiah 5:2 Isaiah 5:5 ) , the hedge about the church and people of God are the angels that encamp about them; salvation, which is as walls and bulwarks to them; and the Lord himself, who is a wall of fire around them; which may be said to be broken down when he withdraws his presence, and does not exert his power in the protection of them; but suffers them to be exposed to the persecutions of men:

so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her?
the hedge being broken down, all passengers and travellers plucked the fruit of the vine as they passed along, there being noticing to keep them off from it: this may denote the plunder of the Israelites by their enemies, when left of God, they fell into their hands; and the havoc persecutors make of the church of Christ, and their spoiling them of their goods and substance, when they are permitted to do it.

Psalms 80:12 In-Context

10 The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches;
11 It put out branches as far as the sea and shoots to the [Euphrates] River.
12 Why did you break down [the vineyard's] wall, so that all passing by can pluck [its fruit]?
13 The boar from the forest tears it apart; wild creatures from the fields feed on it.
14 God of armies, please come back! Look from heaven, see, and tend this vine!
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.