Psalm 80: 1-2, 8-19
Hear us, O Shepard of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Awaken your might; come and save us.
You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade, the mighty cedars with its branches. It sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River.
Why have you broken down its walls so that all who pass by pick its grapes? Boars from the forest ravage it and the creatures of the field feed on it. Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted, the son you have raised up for yourself.
Your vine is cut down, it is burned with fire; at your rebuke your people perish. Let your hand rest on the man at your right hand, the son of man you have raised up for yourself. Then we will not turn away from you; revive us, and we will call on your name.
Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.
A Thought
The writer of this Psalm is calling out to God in remembrance of the God who led Joseph like the Shepard who leads his flock; and brought Israel out their bondage in Egypt. Now the writer is asking God why he has permitted Israel to be cast down. Then he is asking God to restore Israel that they may be saved.
God is love and against all evil whether it was with Israel or with us today. We must all humbly come to God in repentance and obedience through his Son before we will be revived and our relationship restored with the Almighty God.
Our Prayer
Father help us to fight against the evil in our world today and to trust, obey you to lead us into all truth. Thank you for making us the sheep of your pasture in Jesus’ name, amen.
