Day 16 — Psalm 80

HEBREW

PSALM 80

Prayer for the restoration of Israel

For the choirmaster, tune: ‘The decrees are lilies,’ of Asaph, psalm.

Shepherd of Israel, listen,

You who lead Joseph like a flock;

enthroned on the cherubim, shine

on Ephraim, Benjamin and Manassaeh;

rouse Your strength,

come to us and save us!

Yahweh Sabaoth, bring us back,

let Your face smile on us and we shall be safe.

Yahweh Sabaoth, how much longer

will You smolder at Your people's prayer?

Having fed us on the bread of tears,

having made us drink them in such measure,

You now let our neighbors quarrel over us

and our enemies deride us.

Yahweh Sabaoth, bring us back,

let Your face smile on us and we shall be safe.

There was a vine: You uprooted it from Egypt;

to plant it, You drove out other nations,

You cleared a space where it could grow,

it took root and filled the whole country.

It covered the mountains with its shade,

the cedars of God with its branches,

its tendrils extended to the sea,

its offshoots all the way to the river.

Why have you destroyed its fences?

Now anyone can go and steal its grapes,

the forest boar can ravage it

and wild animals eat it.

Please Yahweh Sabaoth, relent!

Look down from heaven,

look at this vine,

visit it,

protect what Your right hand has planted.

They threw it on the fire like dung,

but one look of reproof from you

and they will be doomed.

May Your hand protect the Man at Your right,

the Son of Man who has been authorized by You.

We shall never turn from You again;

our life renewed, we shall invoke Your name.

Yahweh Sabaoth, bring us back,

let Your face smile on us and we shall be safe.

Next… Psalm 81