Read the Bible

¹ Shepherd of Israel, listen to us.
    You lead your people^[a] like sheep.
You sit on your throne above the Cherub angels.
    Let us see you.
² Shepherd of Israel, show your greatness to the tribes of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh.
    Come and save your people.
³ God, accept us again.
    Smile down on us and save us!
⁴ Lord God All-Powerful, when will you listen to our prayers?
    How long will you be angry with us?
⁵ Instead of bread and water,
    you gave your people tears.
⁶ You made us the target of everyone's hatred.
    Our enemies make fun of us.
⁷ God All-Powerful, accept us again.
    Smile down on us and save us!

⁸ When you brought us out of Egypt,
    we were like your special vine.
You forced other nations to leave this land,
    and you planted that vine here.
⁹ You prepared the ground for it,
    and it sent its roots down deep and spread throughout the land.
¹⁰ It covered the mountains,
    and its leaves shaded even the giant cedar trees.
¹¹ Its branches spread to the Mediterranean Sea,
    its shoots to the Euphrates River.
¹² God, why did you pull down the walls that protect your vine?
    Now everyone who passes by picks its grapes.
¹³ Wild pigs come and ruin it.
    Wild animals eat the leaves.
¹⁴ God All-Powerful, come back.
    Look down from heaven at your vine and protect it.
¹⁵ Look at the vine you planted with your own hands.
    Look at the young plant^[b] you raised.
¹⁶ Our enemies have cut it down and burned it up.
    Show them how angry you are and destroy them.

¹⁷ Reach out and help your chosen one.^[c]
    Reach out to the people^[d] you raised up.
¹⁸ Then we will never leave you.
    Let us live, and we will worship you.
¹⁹ Lord God All-Powerful, accept us again.
    Smile down on us and save us!