Shepherd of Israel, Shine Forth
For the director of music. To the tune of "Lilies"; a testimony of Asaph; a psalm.
A vine was carried out of Egypt, planted, and grown until its shade covered mountains — and now its walls are broken and passersby strip the fruit. Three times the same refrain rises: restore us, our Father, let your face shine, that we may be saved.
80 1Listen, Shepherd of Israel—our Father—you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth. 2Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up your might; come to save us! 3Restore us, our Father; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 4O the Father of heaven's armies, how long will you smolder against the prayers of your people? 5You have fed them the bread of tears; you made them drink tears in full measure. 6You make us an object of strife to our neighbors, and our enemies mock us among themselves. 7Restore us, Father of heaven's armies; let your face shine, that we may be saved. 8You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. a a v8 The vine our Father carried out of Egypt is Israel; Jesus later calls himself "the true vine" — the faithful one in whom the Father's people finally bear fruit. 9You cleared the ground before it; it took deep root and filled the land. 10The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. 11It sent out its branches to the sea and its shoots to the River. b b v11 The River: the Euphrates, the great river marking Israel's northeastern boundary. 12Why have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass by the road pluck its fruit? 13The boar from the forest ravages it, and every creature of the field feeds on it. 14Come back, Father of heaven's armies! Look down from heaven and see; care for this vine, 15the stock that your right hand planted, and the son you raised up strong for yourself. 16It is burned with fire, it is cut down; they perish at the rebuke of your face. 17Let your hand rest on the man of your right hand, on the son of man you raised up strong for yourself. c c v17 Israel prayed for the "son of man" at our Father's right hand to be raised up; Jesus takes that very title for himself and is seated at the Father's right hand — the true Son in whom the prayer is answered. 18Then we will not turn away from you; give us life, and we will call on your name. 19Restore us, the Father of heaven's armies; let your face shine, that we may be saved.
