One old vine, low and thick, sprawling over a broken dry-stone terrace wall in gray evening light, its branches trampled, a wide empty sky above.

Lament · Asaph

Psalm 80

A nation prays one line three times, and each time it calls God by a fuller name.

19 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–41Book IDavid's prayers: 'The LORD is my shepherd'
42–72Book II'As the deer pants'; the throne under pressure
73–89Book IIIAsaph and Korah: the kingdom fallsPsalm 80
90–106Book IVBack to Moses: the LORD reigns
107–150Book VSongs of ascents, and the last Hallelujah

Hear Us, O Shepherd of Israel

In the dim Most Holy Place, the gold ark rests on the floor beneath the outstretched wings of two great golden cherubim whose wings reach wall to wall, their heads lost in shadow; a priest’s white linen back leaves through the doorway.

For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph.

Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel,

who leads Joseph like a flock;

You who sit enthroned between the cherubim,

shine forth

before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.

Rally Your mighty power

and come to save us.

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O LORD God of Hosts,

how long will Your anger smolder

against the prayers of Your people?

You fed them with the bread of tears

and made them drink the full measure of their tears.

You make us contend with our neighbors;

our enemies mock us.

Restore us, O God of Hosts,

and cause Your face to shine upon us,

that we may be saved.

Reflect

Prayers that seem to bounce back

The psalm asks how long God’s anger will smolder “against the prayers of Your people.” Has prayer felt like that to you? Write down what it has been like, and then write the line you still want to say to Him.

A wild boar rooting in a vineyard in the last gray light, the terrace wall down behind it, grapes crushed in the dirt.

Why have You broken down its walls,

so that all who pass by pick its fruit?

The boar from the forest ravages it,

and the creatures of the field feed upon it.

Return, O God of Hosts, we pray!

Look down from heaven and see!

Attend to this vine—

the root Your right hand has planted,

the son You have raised up for Yourself.

0:22

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Your vine has been cut down and burned;

they perish at the rebuke of Your countenance.

Let Your hand be upon the man at Your right hand,

on 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 of Hosts;

cause Your face to shine upon us,

that we may be saved.

Pray

Make verse 19 your own

Think of what in your life, your family or your church needs God’s help. Then say the line slowly, as many times as you need: “Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.”

You’ve experienced

Psalm 80

0 of 150 psalms read

A verse to carry with you

Restore us, O LORD God of Hosts; cause Your face to shine upon us, that we may be saved.

Psalm 80:19

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