Psalms Chapter 79

Qui regis Israel.

A prayer for the church in tribulation, commemorating God's former favours.

79:1. Unto the end, for them that shall be changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm.

79:2. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth

79:3. Before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses. Stir up thy might, and come to save us.

79:4. Convert us, O God: and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.

79:5. O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant?

79:6. How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: and give us for our drink tears in measure?

79:7. Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: and our enemies have scoffed at us.

79:8. O God of hosts, convert us: and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.

79:9. Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.

79:10. Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.

79:11. The shadow of it covered the hills: and the branches thereof the cedars of God.

79:12. It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, and its boughs unto the river.

79:13. Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof, so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?

79:14. The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.

79:15. Turn again, O God of hosts, look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:

79:16. And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

79:17. Things set on fire and dug down shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.

Things set on fire, etc. . .So this vineyard of thine, almost consumed already, must perish, if thou continue thy rebukes.

79:18. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.

The man of thy right hand. . .Christ.

79:19. And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: and we will call upon thy name.

79:20. O Lord God of hosts, convert us and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.