Prayer for the Deliverance of the Church
Why hast Thou, then, broken down her hedges, the picture of a vineyard with its sheltering hedge being retained, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? the hedge having been removed, any passer-by felt himself entitled to step in and rob.
V. 13. The boar out of the wood, one of the neighboring nations, doth waste it, cutting it down with his tusks, and the wild beast of the field, the reference here probably being to the nomad tribes of Arabia, doth devour it. The entire country was helpless before the inroads of the enemies, and the Church was the chief sufferer.
V. 14. Return, turning back His eyes which had been turned away in anger, we beseech Thee, O God of hosts, with His unlimited resources; look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine, once more taking an active interest in its welfare, supporting it in its present difficulty; v. 15. and the vineyard, the garden of the Church, which Thy right hand, emblem of almighty power, hath planted, and the branch that Thou madest strong for Thyself, protecting its stem, the stock of the Church, which He had chosen for the honor of His name, for the spread of His glory.
V. 16. It is burned with fire, it is cut down, the reference being rather to the host of the enemy, which would be utterly destroyed by the avenging hand of the Lord; they perish at the rebuke of Thy countenance, this being the definite expectation of the believers.
V. 17. Let Thy hand, in favor and protection, be upon the man of Thy right hand, supported by God’s almighty power, upon the son of man whom Thou madest strong for Thyself, the reference being either to the Church as personified in each believer, or to the great Son of Man, the Messiah, Himself; for the prophetic character of the psalm is very marked.
V. 18. So will not we go back from Thee, never forsaking the Lord of their salvation. Quicken us, blessing them with new spiritual life, and we will call upon Thy name, proclaiming the Lord as He has revealed Himself in His Word.
With this assurance, which must be found in every prayer, the believers send up their appeal for the third time: v. 19. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine, and we shall be saved. Such a prayer will bring to the believers the quickening grace, which enables them to persevere in the right worship.