Psa. 80 (L.P.M.)

To the cheef Musitian, upon Shosannim Eduth, a Psalm for Asaph. By the allegory of a Vine, is expressed God’s great care of the Jewish Church, typefieng also the Christian Church, whose complaints & desires in her suffrings, are here exprest. It may be used by any congregations of the faithful when they are delivered up to their foes, &c.

1. Hear thou, that Flock-like, Joseph guidest
And twixt the Cherubims residest;
Now Isr’el’s Pastor shine thou clear:
To Benjamin’s & Eph’rim’s vewe,
Thy strength before Manasseth shewe;
And to defend us, drawe thou near.

2. Returne, & of thy grace assure us;
For that alone will save & cure us.
O Lord of hoasts, we thee entreat:
For aye therfor, close not thine ears,
Though long, thou mak’st us drinck our teares,
And giv’st us weepings for our meat.

3. Our Neighbours are at strife about us;
Thou mak’st our foes to scorne & flout us.
Lord God of Hoasts, our sorrow slake;
To save us, cause thy face to shine:
For thou from Egipt broughtst this Vine,
And threw’st out Nations for her sake.

4. The place thou hadst before so tillèd,
That rooting well, the land she fillèd,
And cov’red mountaines with her shade:
Her boughs did Cedar-like extend;
She branches to the sea did send,
And to the River, she did spread.

5. Why of her hedge hast thou bereft her?
Why to the spoile of strangers left her,
And of the feirce untamèd swine?
The Forrest herds have her or’ethrowne;
O Lord of Hoasts, from heav’n look downe,
Behold & visite this thy Vine.

6. That Vine which thy right-hand hath cherisht,
That branch which for thine owne was nourisht,
Is burn’t & spoild while thou dost frowne;
O send for our defence to stand,
That Sonn of Man, whome thy Right-hand
Hath arm’d & chosen for thine owne.

7. Then we shall never more denie thee;
But being still revivèd by thee,
For ever call upon thy Name.
O Lord of Hoasts, convert us nowe;
A gratious look on us bestowe,
And thou shalt save us by the same.

Notwithstanding (O gratious Father) thou dost often water us with our owne teares & expose us justly to the beasts of the Forrest (even to our owne brutish appetites) & though our unthankfulnes hath worthilie deserved that we should be chastised with many stormes of Adversitie: Yet, Remember, we beseech thee, that we are plants of thine owne Vineyeard & branches of that goodly Vine which thou hast elected for thy self. Behold & visite us with a favourable aspect, repaire those decayed Fences through which any strang lust or swinish Condition hath broken in upon us. Let our Foes (by whome we are persecuted) our neighbours (by whome we were mocked, or preyed upon) & our brethren (who were censorious beholders of our afflictions) become witnesses also of thy renewing Favours: That we may be comforted in thee & continue for ever hereafter constant in thy fear & service, through the assistance of that man of thy Right-hand, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

(L.P.M.) Long Particular Meter or 888.888

(rhyme scheme: aacbbc)

Tune (First Line): Christus Rex: Christ is the King! O friends upraise.