Psalm 80

One of nine Psalms done into metre by John Milton during April, 1648.

Words in brackets are words that are different from the text of the Psalm as it was in Milton's Bible.

C.M.

 1  Thou Shepherd that dost Israel [keep]
       Give ear [in time of need,]
    Who leadest like a flock of sheep
       [Thy loved ones] Josephs seed,
    That sitt'st between the Cherubs [bright]
       [Between their wings out-spread]
    Shine forth, [and from thy cloud give light,]
       [And on our foes thy dread.]
    
 2  In Ephraims view and Benjamins,
       And in Manasse's sight
    Awake thy strength, come, and [be seen]
       [To] save us [by thy might.]
 3  Turn us again, [thy grace divine]
       [To us] O God [vouchsafe;]
    Cause thou thy face on us to shine
       And then we shall be safe.

 4  Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou,
       How long wilt thou declare
    Thy smoaking wrath, [and angry brow]
       Against thy peoples praire.
 5  Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears,
       Their bread with tears they eat,
    And mak'st them largely drink the tears
       [Wherwith their cheeks are wet.]

 6  A strife thou mak'st us and a prey
       To every neighbour foe,
    Among themselves they laugh, they play,
       And flouts at us they throw.
 7  Return us, [and thy grace divine,]
       O God of Hosts [vouchsafe]
    Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
       And then we shall be safe.

 8  Vine from Aegypt thou hast brought,
       [Thy free love made it thine,]
    And drov'st out Nations proud and haut
       To plant this [lovely] Vine.
 9  Thou did'st prepare for it a place
       And root it deep and fast
    That it [began to grow apace,]
       [And] fill'd the land [at last.]

10  With her [green] shade [that] cover'd [all,]
       The Hills were [over-spread]
    Her Bows as [high] as Cedars tall
       [Advanc'd their lofty head.]
11  Her branches [on the western side]
       Down to the Sea she sent,
    And [upward] to that river [wide]
       Her other branches [went.]

12  Why hast thou laid her Hedges low
       And brok'n down her Fence,
    That all may pluck her, as they go,
       [With rudest violence?]
13  The [tusked] Boar out of the wood
       Up turns it by the roots,
    Wild Beasts there brouze, and make their food
       [Her Grapes and tender Shoots.]

14  Return now, God of Hosts, look down
       From Heav'n, thy Seat divine,
    Behold [us, but without a frown,]
       And visit this [thy] Vine.
15  Visit this Vine, which thy right hand
       Hath set, and planted [long,]
    And the young branch, that for thy self
       Thou hast made firm and strong.

16  But now it is consum'd with fire,
       And cut [with Axes] down,
    They perish at thy dreadfull ire,
       At thy rebuke and frown.
17  Upon the man of thy right hand
       Let thy [good] hand be [laid,]
    Upon the Son of Man, whom thou
       Strong for thyself hast made.

18  So shall we not go back from thee
       [To wayes of sin and shame,]
    Quick'n us thou, then [gladly] wee
       Shall call upon thy Name.
    Return us, [and thy grace divine]
       Lord God of Hosts [vouchsafe,]
    Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
       And then we shall be safe. 


Page Copyright 2001, Music for the Church of God
e-mail us at: webmaster@cgmusic.com
Page last modified on: 07/29/2004