Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 80:2

2 Before Ephraim, and Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up thy strength , and come and save us.

(i. e.) Before all the Tribes of Israel; for whom he mentions onely these three Tribes, either 1. Because of their special relation to Ioseph here named, Vers. 1. Ephraim and Manasseh being his Sons, and Benjamin his Brother, both by his Father and Mother: Or 2. Because these were eminent Tribes, Ephraim the Head of the Kingdom of the ten Tribes; Manasseh was planted and powerful on both sides of Iordan; and Benjamin, because the greatest part of Ierusalem and the Temple was in it's lot. Or 3. With respect and allusion to the ancient sci[illegible: 1+ letters]uation of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, where these Tribes were placed on the West-side of the Tabernacle, Numb. 2. 18, &c. in which the Ark was, which consequently was before them. So the sence is, O thou who didst of old go forth before these Tribes, &c. do so again at this time. Or, 4. Because these Tribes had a greater share of the Calamities here designed than others; which might be very true, though it be not expressed in the sacred History, in which we have onely the substance of things, and such circumstances are commonly omitted.

Which seems now to be asleep, or idle and useless.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] for [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].