80:14b-16 Asaph called on God to give attention to the vine's condition. Verse 15 looks at the vine as root and branch with the parts representing the whole. The term "son"is a literal rendering of the Hebrew word that metaphorically means branch. It describes the new growth on the vine, the new generation of Israelites. Matthew applied this reference to Jesus Christ (Matt. 2:15; cf. Exod. 4:22; Hosea 11:1).
The psalmist saw the vine of Israel burned and cut down by its enemies whom God had allowed to damage it.
80:17-19 Verse 17 refers again to the present generation of Israelites as God's son. There is a play on words since Benjamin (v. 2) means "son of my right hand."The psalmist called on God to support with His strong hand the son of His right hand (i.e., the nation God used as His powerful right hand). He promised that the Israelites would follow God faithfully and call on Him for their needs if He would revive His vine. The psalm ends with a repetition of the refrain.
God's people are similar to a grape vine in that God has called us to be a blessing to others. However if we do not walk in trust and obedience, God may prune us back and limit our fruitfulness. The vine experiences blessing itself as it becomes a blessing to others. If we depart from God we need to call on Him to restore our fruitfulness and commit ourselves to Him again.
