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
2 for the tribes of Ephraim,
Benjamin, and Manasseh.
Save us by your
power.
3 Our God, make us strong again!
Smile on us and
save us.
4 Lord God All-Powerful,
how much longer
will the prayers of your people
make you angry?
5 You gave us tears for food,
and you made us drink them
by the bowlful.
6 Because of you,
our enemies who live nearby
laugh and joke
about us.
7 But if you smile on us,
we will be saved.
8 We were like a grapevine
you brought out
of Egypt.
You chased other nations away
and planted us
here.
9 Then you cleared the ground,
and we put our roots deep,
spreading over
the land.
10 Shade from this vine covered
the mountains.
Its branches
climbed
the mighty cedars
11 and stretched to the sea;
its new growth reached
to the river.
12 Our Lord, why have you
torn down the wall
from around the
vineyard?
You let everyone who walks by
pick the grapes.
13 Now the vine is gobbled down
by pigs from the forest
and other wild
animals.
14 God All-Powerful,
please do something!
Look down from heaven
and see what’s happening
to this vine.
15 With your own hands
you planted its
roots,
and you raised it
as your very own.
16 Enemies chopped the vine down
and set it on
fire.
Now show your anger
and destroy them.
17 But help the one who sits
at your right
side,
the one you raised
to be your own.
18 Then we will never turn away.
Put new life into us,
and we will worship
you.
19 Lord God All-Powerful,
make us strong again!
Smile on us and
save us.
The Contemporary English Version c1995 by the American
Bible Society.
Selected texts provided for use with the Amos: Hypertext Bible Commentary