God leads us like a flock,
and plants and cares for us as a vine. Here the shepherd represents God and the
vine represents Israel; in the New Testament Jesus, God’s risen Son, is
both—one aspect of the paradox of his being both God and man.
The
Restoring Shepherd (verses 1-7)
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2080:1-7&version=NIV
In
the Old Testament the sheep gave their lives for the shepherd through temple
sacrifice; in the New Testament the Shepherd gave his life for the sheep. When
we find ourselves outside the will of God, tears provide both our food and our
drink. Envious neighbors find joy in our misery. We can strengthen our
confidence in prayer through our Shepherd’s kindness. May we repeatedly ask God
for His gracious restoration.
Hear us, Great Shepherd, enthroned above us. Come and
save us! Lord God Almighty, will Your anger smolder against the prayers of Your
people as You feed us and make us drink our tears? We find ourselves objects of
derision to our neighbors and our enemies mock us. Restore us, God Almighty, make
Your face shine on us, that we may be saved!
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