THE VINE COVERED THE CEDARS: THE IMAGE OF POWER IN PSALM 80:8-11

Many commentators view Psalm 80:10-11 (MT 80:11-12) as the traditional boundaries of Israel. The mountains are the south (Edom), cedars are the north (Lebanon), the sea is the Mediterranean, and the river is the Euphrates. I argue that this misses the change in imagery between the verses. Also, cedars and mountains are not used for boundaries in the Old Testament. The vine covering the cedars of God is a metaphor for the increase of the nation of Israel's power with the support of God in Psalm 80:10 and the vine towering over the mountains shows Israel's dominance over the nations.