To the chief musician upon Shoshannim Eduth, A psalm of Asaph. This psalm was composed upon the occasion of some calamity, which befell the tribes of Israel after they were divided into two kingdoms, and prior to the captivity of either of them. In this time all the calamities mentioned herein befell them; some in one part, and some in another. The psalmist prays for evidence of God 's presence, vv1–3; complain of deep distress, vv4–7; illustrate this, by a comparison to a vine, vv8–16; and concludes with a prayer for mercy, vv17-19. 1Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You Who lead Joseph like a flock; You Who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth. 2Rise up, come and save us - Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, by Your power. 3Renew us, O God; cause Your face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved. 4O LORD God of hosts, how long will You be angry with the prayers of Your people? 5You have fed them with the bread of tears, and given them a full measure of tears to drink. 6You have given us contention with our neighbors; and our enemies laugh and mock us. 7Renew us, O God of hosts, and cause Your face to shine; and we shall be saved. 8You have brought a vine out of Egypt; You have uprooted the nations, and planted your vine in their place. 9You prepared the ground before it, and caused it to take deep root, and it filled the land. 10The hills were covered by its shade, and its branches were like the mighty cedars. 11It sent out its branches to the sea, and its shoots to the Euphrates River. 12Why have You then broken down its hedges, so that all who pass by pick its fruit? 13Boars from the forest ravage it, and other wild animals devour it. 14Return, we beg You, O God of hosts; look down from heaven, and see, and visit Your vine, 15And the vineyard which Your Own right hand has planted, and the branches that You made strong for Yourself. 16Your vine is cut down; it is burned with fire; it wilts at the rebuke of Your disapproving countenance. 17Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself. 18Then we will not turn away from You; revive us, and we will call upon Your name. 19Renew and restore us again, O LORD God of hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, and we shall be saved. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |