Psalms 80:16

16 And those who dared to set it on fire - give them a look that will kill!

Psalms 80:16 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 80:16

It is burnt with fire, it is cut down
That is, the vine of Israel, and the branch before spoken of, alluding to a vine, and its branches; which, when become unprofitable, are cut down or cut off, and cast into the fire; see ( John 15:6 ) , so Jerusalem and the temple were burnt with fire by Nebuchadnezzar, and afterwards by Vespasian:

they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance;
that is, the Israelites, signified by the vine, whose destruction was owing to the wrath of God upon them for their sins; he frowned upon them, and rebuked them in his hot displeasure, and to that their ruin was owing; others were only instruments in his hands. Some understand this as a wish or imprecation, let them that cut down the vine, and burn it with fire, perish at the rebuke of thy countenance; see ( Psalms 68:1 Psalms 68:2 ) , so the Targum.

Psalms 80:16 In-Context

14 God of the angel armies, turn our way! Take a good look at what's happened and attend to this vine.
15 Care for what you once tenderly planted - the vine you raised from a shoot.
16 And those who dared to set it on fire - give them a look that will kill!
17 Then take the hand of your once-favorite child, the child you raised to adulthood.
18 We will never turn our back on you; breathe life into our lungs so we can shout your name!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.