[1] Shepherd of Israel, listen to us. You lead the people of Joseph like a flock. You sit on your throne between the gold creatures with wings. Show your greatness [2] to the people of Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh. Use your strength. Come and save us. [3] God, take us back. Show us your kindness so we can be saved. [4] Lord God of heaven's armies, how long will you be angry at the prayers of your people? [5] You have fed your people tears. You have made them drink many tears. [6] You made those around us fight over us. Our enemies make fun of us. [7] God of heaven's armies, take us back. Show us your kindness so we can be saved. [8] You brought us out of Egypt as if we were a vine. You forced out other nations and planted us in the land. [9] You cleared the land for us. Like a vine, we took root and filled the land. [10] We covered the mountains with our shade. We had limbs like the mighty cedar tree. [11] Our branches reached the Mediterranean Sea. And our shoots went to the Euphrates River. [12] So why did you pull down our walls? Now everyone who passes by steals from us. [13] Like wild pigs they walk over us. Like wild animals they feed on us. [14] God of heaven's armies, come back. Look down from heaven and see. Take care of us, your vine. [15] You planted this shoot with your own hands. You raised and strengthened this child. [16] Now it is cut down and burned with fire. You destroyed us by your angry looks. [17] Help the man you have chosen. Make this human being strong for your service. [18] Then we will not turn away from you. Give us life again, and we will call to you for help. [19] Lord God of heaven's armies, take us back. Show us your kindness so we can be saved.
