Psalm 79
Qui regis Israel. A prayer for the church in tribulation, commemorating God's former favours.
1Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.2Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth3Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us.4Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.5O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant?6How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure?7Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.8O God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.9Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.10Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.11The shadow of it covered the hills: and the branches thereof the cedars of God.12It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river.13Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?14The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.15Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:16And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.17Things set on fire and dug down shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.18Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.19And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.20O Lord God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved. [17] "Things set on fire": So this vineyard of thine, almost consumed already, must perish, if thou continue thy rebukes.