The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars.

PSALMS 80:10KJV
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Psalms 80:10 (KJV)

What does Psalms 80:10 mean?

Psalms 80:10 describes how the growth of a vine was so abundant that its shadow covered the hills and its branches spread out like the finest cedar trees. The verse uses this image to show how something planted and cared for by God flourished and became strong and impressive.

In this psalm, the speaker is addressing God, recalling how God brought a vine (often understood as Israel) out of Egypt and planted it in a new land. The verse is part of a larger metaphor showing how God’s care allowed Israel to grow and thrive, spreading widely and becoming prominent, just as a healthy vine would cover hills and its branches would rival the majestic cedars.

The Hebrew behind Psalms 80:10

  • hills (הָרִים, harim): This word refers to mountains or elevated land. The image of the vine’s shadow covering the hills emphasizes just how far and wide the growth reached.
  • shadow (צֵל, tsel): This word means shade or protection. The shadow covering the hills suggests not just size, but also the idea of shelter or influence.
  • boughs (עָנָף, anaf): This word means branches. The comparison to "goodly cedars" highlights strength and beauty, since cedars were known for their grandeur.
  • goodly (אֵל, el): This word often means "mighty" or "strong." Here, it stresses the impressive, almost majestic quality of the vine’s branches.
  • cedars (אֶרֶז, erez): Cedars, especially those from Lebanon, were famous for their height and strength. Comparing the vine’s branches to cedars underlines how extraordinary the growth was.

Why Psalms 80:10 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the psalmist is not just talking about ordinary growth, but about something unusually abundant and impressive, using the strongest trees known to the region as a comparison.
  • The imagery connects to the wider passage, which is a prayer for restoration. Remembering past flourishing sets up the plea for God to help Israel thrive again.
  • Understanding the original words for "shadow," "goodly," and "cedars" shows that the emphasis is on both the extent and the quality of the growth, not just its size.

Where else these words appear

“boughs” Hebrew H6057 · used in 7 verses

  • Leviticus 23:40 And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.
  • Ezekiel 17:23 In the mountain of the height of Israel will I plant it: and it shall bring forth boughs, and bear fruit, and be a goodly cedar: and under it shall dwell all fowl of every wing; in the shadow of the branches thereof shall they dwell.
  • Ezekiel 36:8 But ye, O mountains of Israel, ye shall shoot forth your branches, and yield your fruit to my people of Israel; for they are at hand to come.

“shadow” Hebrew H6738 · used in 47 verses

  • Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
  • Psalms 63:7 Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
  • Isaiah 30:3 Therefore shall the strength of Pharaoh be your shame, and the trust in the shadow of Egypt your confusion.

“cedars” Hebrew H730 · used in 69 verses

  • Leviticus 14:4 Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop:
  • 1 Kings 7:2 He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.
  • Psalms 148:9 Mountains, and all hills; fruitful trees, and all cedars:

“covered” Hebrew H3680 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Judges 4:19 And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him.
  • Proverbs 24:31 And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.