Psalms 80:5
Psalms 80:5 in Multiple Translations
You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
Thou hast fed them with the bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in large measure.
You have given them the bread of weeping for food; for their drink you have given them sorrow in great measure.
You fed them with the bread of tears, and gave them a full bowl of tears to drink.
Thou hast fedde them with the bread of teares, and giuen them teares to drinke with great measure.
Thou hast caused them to eat bread of tears, And causest them to drink With tears a third time.
You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them tears to drink in large measure.
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.
For it is a commandment in Israel, and a judgment to the God of Jacob.
It is as though the only food and drink that you have given us is a cup full of our tears!
Berean Amplified Bible — Psalms 80:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Psalms 80:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יְהוָ֣ה
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
צְבָא֑וֹת
עַד
מָתַ֥י
עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ
בִּ/תְפִלַּ֥ת
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
God
N-mp
צְבָא֑וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
army
N-cp
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
מָתַ֥י
mâthay
H4970
how
Part
עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ
ʻâshan
H6225
be angry
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
בִּ/תְפִלַּ֥ת
tᵉphillâh
H8605
prayer
Prep | N-fs
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Psalms 80:5
יְהוָ֣ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
ʼĕlôhîym
H430
"God"
N-mp
The Hebrew word for God, elohim, refers to the one supreme God, and is sometimes used to show respect to judges or magistrates. It is also used to describe angels or mighty beings. This word is closely related to the name of the Lord, Yahweh, and is often translated as God or gods in the Bible.
Definition: This name means "gods" (plural intensive-singular meaning), "God" Another name of ye.ho.vah (יהוה "LORD" H3068G)
Usage: Occurs in 2246 OT verses. KJV: angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 22:12; Exodus 3:11.
צְבָא֑וֹת
tsâbâʼ
H6635
"army"
N-cp
This Hebrew word means a large group of people or things, often referring to an army or a campaign, and is also used to describe the Lord's hosts. It appears in the Bible as a name for God, emphasizing His power and authority. In the KJV, it's translated as 'host' or 'army'.
Definition: : army 1) that which goes forth, army, war, warfare, host 1a) army, host 1a1) host (of organised army) 1a2) host (of angels) 1a3) of sun, moon, and stars 1a4) of whole creation 1b) war, warfare, service, go out to war 1c) service
Usage: Occurs in 463 OT verses. KJV: appointed time, ([phrase]) army, ([phrase]) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare). See also: Genesis 2:1; 1 Samuel 17:55; Psalms 24:10.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
מָתַ֥י
mâthay
H4970
"how"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'when' or 'how long', often used to ask about time or duration, like in Genesis when asking how long a task will take.
Definition: 1) when? 1a) with prep 1a1) against when?, until when?, how long?, after how long?
Usage: Occurs in 40 OT verses. KJV: long, when. See also: Genesis 30:30; Psalms 101:2; Psalms 6:4.
עָ֝שַׁ֗נְתָּ
ʻâshan
H6225
"be angry"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to be angry or furious, like smoke rising from a fire. It describes God's wrath in many passages, including Exodus and Deuteronomy. This intense anger is often a response to sin or disobedience.
Definition: 1) to smoke, be angry, be wroth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to smoke 1a2) to fume, be wroth, be furious
Usage: Occurs in 6 OT verses. KJV: be angry (be on a) smoke. See also: Exodus 19:18; Psalms 80:5; Psalms 74:1.
בִּ/תְפִלַּ֥ת
tᵉphillâh
H8605
"prayer"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word means prayer or supplication, often used to describe requests to God. It appears in many Psalms, highlighting the importance of prayer in worship.
Definition: 1) prayer 1a) prayer 1b) pray a prayer 1c) house of prayer 1d) hear prayer 1e) in Ps titles (of poetic or liturgical prayer)
Usage: Occurs in 71 OT verses. KJV: prayer. See also: 2 Samuel 7:27; Psalms 66:19; Psalms 4:2.
עַמֶּֽ/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — Psalms 80:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Psalms 80:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Psalms 80:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 80:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
- Cambridge Bible on Psalms 80:5
- Barnes' Notes on Psalms 80:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
- Sermons on Psalms 80:5
Context — Hear Us, O Shepherd of Israel
3Restore us, O God, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.
4O LORD God of Hosts, how long will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your people?
5You fed them with the bread of tears and made them drink the full measure of their tears.
6You make us contend with our neighbors; our enemies mock us. 7Restore us, O God of Hosts, and cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 42:3 | My tears have been my food both day and night, while men ask me all day long, “Where is your God?” |
| 2 | Isaiah 30:20 | The Lord will give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, but your Teacher will no longer hide Himself—with your own eyes you will see Him. |
| 3 | Psalms 102:9 | For I have eaten ashes like bread and mixed my drink with tears |
| 4 | Ezekiel 4:16–17 | Then He told me, “Son of man, I am going to cut off the supply of food in Jerusalem. They will anxiously eat bread rationed by weight, and in despair they will drink water by measure. So they will lack food and water; they will be appalled at the sight of one another wasting away in their iniquity. |
| 5 | Job 6:7 | My soul refuses to touch them; they are loathsome food to me. |
Psalms 80:5 Summary
This verse is saying that God's people were going through a very tough time, and it felt like they were eating and drinking their own tears. This is a picture of great sorrow and suffering, but it's not saying that God doesn't care - rather, it's saying that He is allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions, as seen in Galatians 6:7-8, where the apostle Paul writes that we will reap what we sow. Even in the midst of great difficulty, God is still with us, and He is calling us to cry out to Him for restoration and salvation, just like the psalmist does in this Psalm.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'the bread of tears' mean in Psalms 80:5?
The phrase 'the bread of tears' is a metaphor for the sorrow and pain that God's people were experiencing, much like the Israelites' bitter experience in Exodus 1:14, where they were forced to make bricks without straw, leading to great sorrow and tears.
Why did God make His people drink 'the full measure of their tears'?
This phrase suggests that God's people were experiencing a depth of sorrow and suffering that was overwhelming, similar to the cup of suffering that Jesus would later drink on behalf of humanity, as described in Matthew 26:39, where He prayed that the cup of God's wrath might pass from Him if possible.
Is this verse saying that God is cruel and heartless?
No, this verse is not saying that God is cruel or heartless, but rather that He is a God of justice and discipline, as seen in Hebrews 12:5-11, where the author writes that God disciplines those He loves, and that this discipline is evidence of His love and concern for their well-being.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the Psalm?
This verse is part of a larger lament, in which the psalmist is crying out to God for restoration and salvation, as seen in Psalms 80:3 and Psalms 80:7, where the psalmist asks God to 'restore us' and 'cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I have experienced 'the bread of tears' in my own life, and how have I responded to those difficulties?
- How can I trust that God is still with me, even when I am walking through a season of sorrow and suffering?
- In what ways can I identify with the psalmist's cry for restoration and salvation, and how can I apply that to my own prayer life?
- What are some ways in which God has disciplined me, and how have I responded to that discipline?
Gill's Exposition on Psalms 80:5
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears,.... With tears instead of bread, having none to eat; or their bread is mingled with their tears, "dipped" therein, as the Targum; such was their constant
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Psalms 80:5
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou feedest them with the bread of tears - making tears their bread (Psalms 42:3).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
With the bread of tears; either with tears instead of bread, which they either want, or cannot eat because their grief hath taken away their appetites; or with tears as frequent and constant as their eating it. See the like phrase .
Trapp's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
Psalms 80:5 Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure.Ver. 5. Thou feedest them with the bread of tears] Panibus fletu intinctis (Chald.). It is as ordinary with them to weep as it is with men to eat and drink (Kimchi). And givest them tears to drink in great measure] Trientales they are Tricongii in a sense, to their sorrow. They are afflicted even to utmost satiety. See Psalms 42:3. Holy Bradford oft mused at his meal, having his hat over his eyes, from whence came commonly plenty of tears dropping on his trencher (Acts aud Mon. 1457).
Ellicott's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
(5) Bread of tears.—See Psalms 42:3. In great measure.—Heb., shalîsh, i.e., a third part. (Comp. Isaiah 40:12, Margin.) Probably meaning a third part of an ephah. (See Exodus 16:36; Isaiah 5:10, LXX.) But here evidently used in a general way, as we say “a peck of troubles.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
Verse 5. Thou feedest them with the bread of tears] They have no peace, no comfort, nothing but continual sorrow. In great measure.] שליש shalish, threefold. Some think it was a certain measure used by the Chaldeans, the real capacity of which is not known. others think it signifies abundance or abundantly.
Cambridge Bible on Psalms 80:5
5. Thou hast fed them with bread of tears, And given them tears to drink in large measure. i.e. made tears their daily portion: cp. Psalms 42:3; Psalms 102:9. In large measure, lit. by the tierce, or third part of some larger measure, probably the bath (= ephah, in dry measure), and if so containing nearly three gallons: a huge drinking goblet, though but a tiny measure for the dust of the earth, Isaiah 40:12, the only other place where the word occurs. LXX, Syr., Jer., read us for them.
Barnes' Notes on Psalms 80:5
Thou feedest them with the bread of tears - literally, “Thou causest them to eat the bread of tears,” or of weeping. That is, their food was accompanied with tears; even when they ate, they wept.
Whedon's Commentary on Psalms 80:5
5. Bread of tears… tears to drink—Hyperbole for great affliction, as Psalms 6:6; Psalms 42:3; Isaiah 30:20. In great measure—Hebrew, in ùׁ ?ìùׁ, (shalish,) a liquid measure holding about two and a half gallons.
Sermons on Psalms 80:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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When God Hides His Face From the Righteous by Jack Hyles | In this sermon, the preacher discusses why God sometimes turns his back and hides his face from us. One reason is that God wants us to learn to depend on Him more. The preacher sha |
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Psalm 42 by Henry Law | Henry Law preaches about the theme of rejection and distress in the hymn, emphasizing the longing for God's presence and the joy found in worship. The believer is encouraged to see |
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Spiritual Burdens and Worry Weights by A.W. Tozer | A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between spiritual burdens and mere irritations that can arise in the life of a Christian. He warns that Christians must be vi |
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Comfort & Joy: The Mourner's Privilege by Thomas Watson | Thomas Watson preaches about the significance of mourning as a pathway to solid joy in the Christian life. He emphasizes that holy mourning leads to the sweetest joy, comparing it |
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To Know God's Will and Do It by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of seeking God's guidance in making decisions. He encourages listeners to trust that God has better plans for them than they c |
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Listening, Unburdening and Worshipping by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a disciplined tongue and using words to help needy people. He encourages listeners to wake up in the morning and lis |
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The Importance of a Prophetic Ministry by Zac Poonen | Zac Poonen emphasizes the critical role of prophetic ministry in guiding believers back to the path of truth, as illustrated in Isaiah 30:20-21. He points out that many churches to |