Psalm 80 Poem by Justin Reamer

Shepherd of Israel, listen,
You who lead Joseph like a flock;
enthroned on the cherubs, shine
on Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh;
rouse Your strength,
come 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 smoulder 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 neighbours 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 own 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 authorised 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.