Psalm 80

Restore us, O God,
cause Your face to shine,
and we shall be saved.

I had always thought "cause Your face to shine" referred to God being happy with us, God smiling upon us, God's grin beaming down on us.

But praying Psalm 80 today, something different crossed my mind. Jesus is the Face of the Father. Jesus is the Light of the world. "Arise, shine, for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you."

And where does He shine? There was fire on top of Sinai. There was the pillar of fire at the exodus. There was the cloud in the tabernacle. There was the top of the Mount of Transfiguration. But mostly, there's Golgotha. In Jesus' passion and crucifixion, that's where the love of God really shone. And that love continues to shine when repentance and the remission of sins is preached today. And that is how we shall be saved.

Restore us, O Lord God of hosts,
cause Your face to shine,
and we shall be saved.


... a Light of consolations
and blessed Hope to those
who love the Lord's appearing.
O glorious Sun, now come,
send forth Thy beams most cheering,
and guide us safely home. (TLH 58)