“Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.” (Psalm 80:1)

The Bible is personal. It brings Truth to our plans, our footsteps, our fingertips, and our hearts. That happens because the God of the Bible is personal. In Psalm 80, Asaph the psalmist portrayed God with very personal words. We read of the ear of God (verse 1), the face of God (verses 3, 7, and 19), and the hand of God (verse 17). We read that God leads (verse 1), looks (verse 14), and saves (verses 2, 3, 7, and 19).

This personal God allows us to be personal with Him. Consider Asaph’s intimate plea in verse one. It begins, “Give ear." From the start, Asaph cries out for God to hear him. He believed that God cared enough to lend an ear to Asaph’s (and Israel’s) concerns. What joy to know that the mighty God of all creation heeds the cry of His own!

The verse continues, “O Shepherd of Israel.” Asaph identifies God as a Shepherd which shows the tenderness and strength of God. Shepherds must be both tender and strong. We can call on God as a sheep calls out to a shepherd. The Shepherd of Israel leads Joseph (a reference to Israel) “like a flock.” What joy to know that the Shepherd of Israel leads His peopleas a shepherd leads a flock!

The picture of shepherd and sheep is humble. Verse one then turns to the majestic. The Shepherd of Israel is asked by the psalmist to “shine forth” and is identified as the One who dwells “between the cherubim.” Here is a wonderful contrast: The humble Shepherd leads a flock, but the One who dwells between the cherubim is high and exalted. What joy to know that the Shepherd of Israel also shines forth in majesty to care for His people.

As the ancient Israelites could follow the Shepherd and call on Him on their behalf, so the modern Christian can follow the Good Shepherd and ask him to “give ear” and “shine forth” in time of need. What joy to know the Shepherd of Israel personally and to have Him give ear!