Psalms 80 CEVDCUS06

Help Our Nation

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

1 Shepherd of Israel, you leadthe descendants of Joseph,and you sit on your throneabove the winged creatures.Listen to our prayerand let your light shine

2 for the tribes of Ephraim,Benjamin, and Manasseh.Save us by your power.

3 Our God, make us strong again!Smile on us and save us.

4 Lord God All-Powerful,how much longerwill the prayers of your peoplemake you angry?

5 You gave us tears for food,and you made us drink themby the bowlful.

6 Because of you,our enemies who live nearbylaugh and joke about us.

7 Our God, make us strong again!Smile on us and save us.

8 We were like a grapevineyou brought out of Egypt.You chased other nations awayand planted us here.

9 Then you cleared the ground,and we put our roots deep,spreading over the land.

10 Shade from this vine coveredthe mountains.Its branches climbedthe mighty cedars

11 and stretched to the sea;its new growth reachedto the river.

12 Our Lord, why have youtorn down the wallfrom around the vineyard?You let everyone who walks bypick the grapes.

13 Now the vine is gobbled upby pigs from the forestand other wild animals.

14 God All-Powerful,please do something!Look down from heavenand see what's happeningto this vine.

15 With your own handsyou planted its roots,and you raised itas your very own.

16 Enemies chopped the vine downand set it on fire.Now show your angerand destroy them.

17 But help the one who sitsat your right side,the one you raisedto 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.