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(A psalm by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies of the Agreement.”)

Help Our Nation

(A) Shepherd of Israel, you lead
    the descendants of Joseph,
and you sit on your throne
    above the winged creatures.[a]
Listen to our prayer
    and let your light shine
for the tribes of Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasseh.
    Save us by your power.

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Footnotes

  1. 80.1 winged creatures: Two winged creatures made of gold were on the top of the sacred chest and were symbols of the Lord's throne on earth (see Exodus 25.18).

Psalm 80[a]

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm.

Hear us, Shepherd of Israel,
    you who lead Joseph like a flock.(A)
You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,(B)
    shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.(C)
Awaken(D) your might;
    come and save us.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 80:1 In Hebrew texts 80:1-19 is numbered 80:2-20.

We were like a grapevine
    you brought out of Egypt.
You chased other nations away
    and planted us here.
Then you cleared the ground,
and we put our roots deep,
    spreading over the land.
10 Shade from this vine covered
    the mountains.
Its branches climbed
the mighty cedars
11     and stretched to the sea;
its new growth reached
    to the river.[a]

12 Our Lord, why have you
torn down the wall
    from around the vineyard?
You let everyone who walks by
    pick the grapes.
13 Now the vine is gobbled up
by pigs from the forest
    and other wild animals.

14 God All-Powerful,
    please do something!
Look down from heaven
and see what's happening
    to this vine.
15 With your own hands
    you planted its roots,
and you raised it
    as your very own.

16 Enemies chopped the vine down
    and set it on fire.
Now show your anger
    and destroy them.
17 But help the one who sits
    at your right side,[b]
the one you raised
    to be your very own.
18 Then we will never turn away.
Put new life into us,
    and we will worship you.

19 Lord God All-Powerful,
make us strong again!
    Smile on us and save us.

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Footnotes

  1. 80.11 the sea … the river: The Mediterranean Sea and the Euphrates River were part of the ideal boundaries for Israel.
  2. 80.17 right side: See the note at 16.11.

You transplanted a vine(A) from Egypt;
    you drove out(B) the nations and planted(C) it.
You cleared the ground for it,
    and it took root and filled the land.
10 The mountains were covered with its shade,
    the mighty cedars with its branches.
11 Its branches reached as far as the Sea,[a]
    its shoots as far as the River.[b](D)

12 Why have you broken down its walls(E)
    so that all who pass by pick its grapes?
13 Boars from the forest ravage(F) it,
    and insects from the fields feed on it.
14 Return to us, God Almighty!
    Look down from heaven and see!(G)
Watch over this vine,
15     the root your right hand has planted,
    the son[c] you have raised up for yourself.

16 Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire;(H)
    at your rebuke(I) your people perish.
17 Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand,
    the son of man(J) you have raised up for yourself.
18 Then we will not turn away from you;
    revive(K) us, and we will call on your name.

19 Restore us, Lord God Almighty;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 80:11 Probably the Mediterranean
  2. Psalm 80:11 That is, the Euphrates
  3. Psalm 80:15 Or branch