Read
(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.
Reflect
When there’s a repetition of a text, it’s obviously important – a mnemonic device to capture attention, aid memory and precipitate action. “Restore us, O God” is the echoing heart cry of this psalm (compare vv 3, 7, 19), a visceral plea for God to “make us strong again” (CEV), “smile your blessing smile” (Msg), “bring us back” (GNT), “make your face shine down upon us” (NLT).
Are you singing a dirge – groaning for restoration? Do you need to be saved – lifted out of your lament – revived in the Lord? If this is your requiem, then this is your psalm.
Problems should drive us to prayer. The opening refrain is a plea for help (vv 1-3, 7), the Israelites asking God to see their plight (vv 4-6). What’s your predicament? The psalmist, speaking for the people, feels powerless (vv 1-3), the object of God’s displeasure (v 4), a bucket of tears (v 5), and utterly ridiculous (v 6).
When we are weak, we must remember that God is strong. Using a parable, the psalmist reminds the great Husbandman of three things: the vine (people of Israel) was planted by the Lord (v 8), a place was prepared for the vine (v 9a), and the vine prospered in the promised land (vv 9b-11).
But something went wrong …
I imagine the psalmist wringing his hands as he wept about the fences around the vine being destroyed and the fruit being devoured (v 12). It goes from bad to worse. The vine is exposed, crushed, ravaged, devoured, burnt, cut down and virtually destroyed (vv 13, 16).
But all is not lost …
A miracle, a quickening, an awakening will come! The one who sits at the right hand of God is being raised up to “put new life into us” and “make us strong again” (vv 18-19).
And the one who came will come again. Call on his name, and he will restore you!
Respond
“Oh Holy God and King. Hear your people as we sing. Revive us , oh Lord … mold us … and remake us … Revive us, oh Lord.”
Steve Green [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkR1dvYt8lA ]
Lawson Murray
Lawson is the President of Scripture Union Canada and the Managing Editor of theStory™. Lawson takes every opportunity to enthusiastically invite people of all ages to connect with Jesus and His Story. He says, “We have been given the greatest story ever - God's Story! Should we not, with all our might and energy immerse ourselves in it? I believe we should. For without the Story we really have nothing to offer the millions who hunger and thirst for something more. But, with God’s Story we have what everyone needs!” Publications: Bible Engagement Blog; Children’s Ministry Basics Blog, Bible Engagement Basics; Bible Beginners