Psalms 80:13
“The boar out of the wood ravages it. The wild animals of the field feed on it.”
What does Psalms 80:13 mean?
The psalmist is describing the vineyard of Israel as being torn apart by wild boars and other animals, using this image to represent how enemies have devastated God's people. Just as a carefully tended vineyard becomes defenseless and destroyed when left without protection, Israel feels abandoned and overrun by those who oppose them. This follows an earlier part of the psalm where God is called upon as the shepherd who plants and protects his people, so when that protection seems withdrawn, everything falls into ruin. The prayer beneath these words is essentially asking: "God, you planted us here, you brought us into this good land, so why do you now allow us to be trampled and consumed?"