(A psalm by Asaph for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies of the Agreement.”)
Help Our Nation
1 Shepherd of Israel, you lead
the descendants of Joseph,
and you sit on your throne
above the winged creatures.
Listen to our prayer
and let your light shine
2for the tribes of Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Save us by your power.
3Our God, make us strong again!
Smile on us and save us.
4Lord God All-Powerful,
how much longer
will the prayers of your people
make you angry?
5You gave us tears for food,
and you made us drink them
by the bowlful.
6Because of you,
our enemies who live nearby
laugh and joke about us.
7Our God, make us strong again!
Smile on us and save us.
8We were like a grapevine
you brought out of Egypt.
You chased other nations away
and planted us here.
9Then you cleared the ground,
and we put our roots deep,
spreading over the land.
10Shade from this vine covered
the mountains.
Its branches climbed
the mighty cedars
11and stretched to the sea;
its new growth reached
to the river.
12Our Lord, why have you
torn down the wall
from around the vineyard?
You let everyone who walks by
pick the grapes.
13Now the vine is gobbled up
by pigs from the forest
and other wild animals.
14God All-Powerful,
please do something!
Look down from heaven
and see what's happening
to this vine.
15With your own hands
you planted its roots,
and you raised it
as your very own.
16Enemies chopped the vine down
and set it on fire.
Now show your anger
and destroy them.
17But help the one who sits
at your right side,
the one you raised
to be your very own.
18Then we will never turn away.
Put new life into us,
and we will worship you.
19Lord God All-Powerful,
make us strong again!
Smile on us and save us.