John Calvin Commentary Psalms 80:4

"O Jehovah God of hosts, How long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?" — Psalms 80:4 (ASV)

O Jehovah, God of Hosts! Since God has freely promised in the Scriptures, and so often assured us, that the prayers of his people will not be disappointed, it may cause us surprise to find the faithful here alleging before him that he continues unappeased, although they turn to him.

They complain not only that they are not heard, but also that he is angry, when they call on him, as if he purposely rejected this act of worship. Where, then, it may be asked, is that promise recorded in Isaiah 65:24, Before they call I will answer? To this I would answer that, as God, by delaying to help his people, tests their patience, the prophet, speaking according to the judgment of the flesh, represents him as deaf to their prayers.

It is not proper for those who pray to rest in this opinion, which would place an insurmountable obstacle in their way to the throne of grace. Instead, they should strive to cherish, in opposition to it, the judgment of faith, and to penetrate even into heaven, where they may behold a hidden salvation.

Nevertheless, God still permits them, so they may more effectively unburden their minds, to tell him of the cares, anxieties, griefs, and fears with which they are distressed. In the mention made here of the smoke of God’s wrath, there appears to be an implicit allusion to the incense used in the sacrifices under the law. The smoke of the incense served to purify the air, but the Israelites complain that the heavens were so obscured by a different smoke that their sighs could not ascend to God.