Psalm - The Old Testament

¹ [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 winged creatures, shine forth

² over Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh; rouse your valour and come to our help.

³ God, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.

⁴ Yahweh, God Sabaoth, how long will you flare up at your people's prayer?

⁵ You have made tears their food, redoubled tears their drink.

⁶ You let our neighbours quarrel over us, our enemies mock us.

⁷ God Sabaoth, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.

⁸ You brought a vine out of Egypt, to plant it you drove out nations;

⁹ you cleared a space for it, it took root and filled the whole country.

¹⁰ The mountains were covered with its shade, and the cedars of God with its branches,

¹¹ its boughs stretched as far as the sea, its shoots as far as the River.

¹² Why have you broken down its fences? Every passer-by plucks its grapes,

¹³ boars from the forest tear at it, wild beasts feed on it.

¹⁴ God Sabaoth, come back, we pray, look down from heaven and see, visit this vine;

¹⁵ protect what your own hand has planted.

¹⁶ They have thrown it on the fire like dung, the frown of your rebuke will destroy them.

¹⁷ May your hand protect those at your side, the child of Adam you have strengthened for yourself!

¹⁸ Never again will we turn away from you, give us life and we will call upon your name.

¹⁹ God Sabaoth, bring us back, let your face shine on us and we shall be safe.