Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Shine Your Face on Us

The writer of Psalm 80, attributed to Asaph, would have been very familiar with the priestly blessing found in Numbers 6:24-26, NIV, “The Lord bless you and keep you;  the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” This blessing was passed down for centuries by the Israelite priests. 

The thought of the Lord shining His face is repeated three times in Psalm 80: verses 3, 7, and 19. The psalmist asks God to “Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved” (Psalm 80:3, NIV). How does God shine His face on us, and what does it mean when He does? Let’s look at these questions.

Because the Israelites were so familiar with the priestly blessing, they most likely associated praying that blessing with experiencing God’s presence in their lives. Charles Spurgeon, the famous preacher, said, “Our greatest dread is the withdrawal of the Lord’s presence, and our brightest hope is the prospect of his return.” Asking God to “make your face shine on us” is parallel to asking for God’s presence to be with us.

Many times throughout the Bible, people prayed that God would not hide His face, (see Job 13:24, Psalm 27:9, 44:24, 69:17, 88:14, 102:2, 143:7). In Psalm 80, the writer asks God how long His anger will smolder (verse 4), and asks God to restore the people of Israel. In verse 14, the writer says, “Return to us, God Almighty!” 

Are you feeling like God’s presence is far from you today? Maybe you have had a season of busyness, or discouragement, that has made you feel as if God is not near to you. Be encouraged that you can pray—as the writer of this psalm did—for God to shine His face on you and restore you. He is as close as your next prayer, and He will hear you call for His presence today.