Historic Context

This psalm was written after the separation of the ten northern tribes—who rebelled against the house of David—and before the fall of Judah to Babylon. We know this because Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, are mentioned (b.1–2). These tribes dominated the northern kingdom, which was known as Israel.

A Trilogy of Woe

It is clear, however, that the psalm was composed during dark and difficult days for the northern kingdom.

In verses 1–7, the nation is likened to a flock under God’s pastoral care: “Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel.” Yet the sheep have been scattered, and the Shepherd has withdrawn Himself.

“O LORD God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves” (v4-5).

Alexander McClaren summarised it well:

“An angry God, a weeping nation, and mocking foes. A trilogy of woe”.

Alexander McClaren

The Wild Boar

From verses 8–16, Israel is portrayed as a vine planted by God, whose branches once stretched from the Mediterranean to the Euphrates. But the glory days are gone. A wild boar from the forest has ravaged the vine, and the vineyard has been burned with fire.

It is likely that Asaph was witnessing the fall of the northern kingdom to the Assyrians. God’s patience had run out, and the soldiers of Nineveh were permitted to overrun and subjugate the land.

Asaph, observing from Judah to the south, was filled with fear and foreboding. Might Jerusalem suffer the same fate as Samaria?

Turn Us

Therefore he prayed. This Psalm is a prayer for deliverance in a dark and dangerous time. It is striking, however, that he does not not pray for the overthrow of Israel’s enemies. Rather he requests that God would turn His people back to Himself. Three times he prays:

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts,
cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. (v3,7,19)

Was Asaph praying for the deliverance of the fallen northern kingdom?

For the preservation of Judah, also threatened by Assyria?

Or for a spiritual revival across both nations?

We must conclude that spiritual revival was his chief concern.

Such revival had to be centred in Jerusalem, where the temple and the priesthood were located. Therefore, from the opening verse he prays for the God who dwells between the cherubim to shine forth.

The Right Hand

In verse 17, he intercedes for “the man of thy right hand.”  In its historical context, this points to a king—specifically, King Hezekiah, who ruled Judah during Assyria’s rise. Hezekiah was one of the great reforming kings, leading the nation into spiritual renewal during its darkest days. Many refugees fled south from the north to join in the blessing (2 Chronicles 30).

When the Assyrian war machine advanced toward Jerusalem, it seemed certain the city would fall. But Sennacherib had not reckoned with the power of prayer. As Hezekiah laid the matter before the Lord, God intervened and wrought an astonishing deliverance. God had indeed turned His people to Himself—and they were saved.

Modern Application

Days of Judgment

We too live in days of judgment, when the enemy appears to be advancing. But the greatest problem is not societal—it is within the Church itself. Apathy, worldliness, and a lack of conviction have weakened the people of God.

The Church is also a vine planted by God for His purposes.

And when God’s judgment falls upon the Church, the protective wall is removed, and the wild boar runs rampant.

The wild boar may be the unleashing of our sinful nature when we ignore the restraints of grace. The unrestrained tongue, James says, is “set on fire of hell.” The same is true of all our sinful instincts. Personally, we lose fruitfulness when we treat sin lightly.

The world, too, is a wild boar. Its temptations and its godless culture pressure us to compromise. As the Church becomes more worldly, its branches break, and the vine is damaged.

For Jesus Sake

As Asaph prayed for the man at God’s right hand—“the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself”—we are reminded of Christ. He is the true King who sits at the Father’s right hand.

If God is to restore the flock and revive the vine, He will do so for the sake of His Son.

We do not merit revival. We have no right to it.
But God turns His people because of Christ.

Revival and renewal is not a blessing we merit. We have no right to such a bounty. But God will turn us because of His Son.

From the Sanctuary

The psalm begins in the sanctuary, between the cherubim. From the place where the blood of atonement was sprinkled, God shines forth with His glory.

True revival is Christ-centred and gospel-focused. Any movement that does not exalt Christ and proclaim the free offer of grace is not a genuine work of the Spirit.

Turn Us Again

In these dark days, we must cry out to God to incline our hearts toward Himself. We cannot change ourselves. Rules, habits, and procedures are not enough. Christianity today often seems to be on life support. We need God to breathe new life into His Church. The future of both Church and nation depends on this prayer:

“Turn us again.”

A Final Challenge

Perhaps you have lost out personally. The wild boar has ravaged your fruitfulness. You long for former days. Your soul feels barren and lean.

Is there hope?
Is there recovery?
Is there restoration?

Yes. The enemy may break the branches and burn the vineyard, but he cannot destroy the root. What God has planted remains in the heart. The principle of life is still there.

Therefore, pray with sorrow and repentance:
“Turn us again.”

God is the master of repairing broken pieces.
All is not lost.
He has a purpose for you.

“O God bring us back again! Cause thy face to shine!
And all will be well again!”

Andrew Bonar