'Psalm 80' by John Milton
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Thou Shepherd that dost Israel keep
Give ear in time of need,
Who leadest like a flock of sheep
Thy loved Josephs seed,
That sitt'st between the Cherubs bright
Between their wings out-spread
Shine forth, and from thy cloud give light,
And on our foes thy dread.
In Ephraims view and Benjamins,
And in Manasse's sight
Awake* thy strength, come, and be seen *Gnorera.
To save us by thy might.
Turn us again, thy grace divine
To us O God vouchsafe;
Cause thou thy face on us to shine
And then we shall be safe.
Lord God of Hosts, how long wilt thou,
How long wilt thou declare
Thy *smoaking wrath, and angry brow *Gnashanta.
Against thy peoples praire.
Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears,
Their bread with tears they eat,
And mak'st them* largely drink the tears *Shalish.
Wherewith their cheeks are wet.
A strife thou mak'st us and a prey
To every neighbour foe,
Among themselves they *laugh, they *play, *Jilgnagu.
And *flouts at us they throw.
Return us, and thy grace divine,
O God of Hosts vouchsafe
Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
And then we shall be safe.
A Vine from Aegypt thou hast brought,
Thy free love made it thine,
And drov'st out Nations proud and haut
To plant this lovely Vine.
Thou did'st prepare for it a place
And root it deep and fast
That it began to grow apace,
And fill'd the land at last.
With her green shade that cover'd all,
The Hills were over-spread
Her Bows as high as Cedars tall
Advanc'd their lofty head.
Her branches on the western side
Down to the Sea she sent,
And upward to that river wide
Her other branches went.
Why hast thou laid her Hedges low
And brok'n down her Fence,
That all may pluck her, as they go,
With rudest violence?
The tusked Boar out of the wood
Up turns it by the roots,
Wild Beasts there brouze, and make their food
Her Grapes and tender Shoots.
Return now, God of Hosts, look down
From Heav'n, thy Seat divine,
Behold us, but without a frown,
And visit this thy Vine.
Visit this Vine, which thy right hand
Hath set, and planted long,
And the young branch, that for thy self
Thou hast made firm and strong.
But now it is consum'd with fire,
And cut with Axes down,
They perish at thy dreadfull ire,
At thy rebuke and frown.
Upon the man of thy right hand
Let thy good hand be laid,
Upon the Son of Man, whom thou
Strong for thyself hast made.
So shall we not go back from thee
To wayes of sin and shame,
Quick'n us thou, then gladly wee
Shall call upon thy Name.
Return us, and thy grace divine
Lord God of Hosts voutsafe,
Cause thou thy face on us to shine,
And then we shall be safe.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Psalm 80: A Masterpiece by John Milton
Psalm 80 is a poetic masterpiece, written by the renowned English poet, John Milton. This poem, which is part of a collection of biblical psalms, is a powerful expression of sorrow and supplication to God. The poem reflects on the condition of the Israelites, who were suffering under the yoke of oppression and bondage.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the themes, structure, and literary devices used by Milton in this poem. We will also explore the historical context of Psalm 80 and its relevance to contemporary society.
Historical Context
Psalm 80 was written during a tumultuous period in English history. Milton, who was a Puritan and a supporter of the Parliamentary cause, wrote this poem during the English Civil War. This conflict, which lasted from 1642 to 1651, was a struggle between the forces of the English Parliament and those of King Charles I. The war resulted in the execution of the king and the establishment of a republic in England.
During this period, Milton was also involved in political and religious controversies. He was a fierce critic of the Church of England and the monarchy, and he believed in the establishment of a republican government based on the principles of liberty and equality. His writings, including Psalm 80, reflect his political and religious beliefs.
Themes
The main themes of Psalm 80 are divine intervention, lamentation, and supplication. The poem expresses the Israelites' despair at their condition and their plea to God for deliverance. The poem also reflects on the nature of God and his relationship with his people.
The poem begins with a call to God to "hear us, O Shepherd of Israel." This opening line establishes the theme of divine intervention and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The Israelites are portrayed as lost sheep who are in need of a shepherd to guide them.
The poem then moves on to a lamentation, as the Israelites describe their condition. They are depicted as a vineyard that has been destroyed by wild beasts. The image of the vineyard is a powerful metaphor for the Israelites themselves, who are the chosen people of God. The destruction of the vineyard represents the Israelites' suffering and the loss of their identity as a nation.
The Israelites then plead with God to restore them. They ask him to "turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." This plea for restoration is a central theme of the poem. The Israelites are asking God to bring them back to their former glory and to save them from their enemies.
The poem ends with a declaration of faith in God. The Israelites express their confidence that God will hear their prayer and restore them. They declare, "so will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
Structure
Psalm 80 is structured as a prayer, with a clear beginning, middle, and end. The poem begins with the call to God to "hear us, O Shepherd of Israel." This opening line establishes the speaker's relationship with God and sets the tone for the rest of the poem.
The middle section of the poem is a lamentation, as the Israelites describe their condition. They are depicted as a vineyard that has been destroyed by wild beasts. The image of the vineyard is a powerful metaphor for the Israelites themselves, who are the chosen people of God.
The poem ends with a plea for restoration and a declaration of faith in God. The Israelites ask God to "turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." They then express their confidence that God will hear their prayer and restore them.
Literary Devices
Milton uses a variety of literary devices in Psalm 80 to convey his message. These include metaphors, imagery, repetition, and allusion.
One of the most powerful literary devices used by Milton is the metaphor of the vineyard. The Israelites are depicted as a vineyard that has been destroyed by wild beasts. This metaphor is a powerful symbol of the Israelites' suffering and loss of identity.
Milton also uses imagery to convey the Israelites' despair. The image of the Israelites as lost sheep who are in need of a shepherd is a powerful image that conveys the Israelites' sense of helplessness and vulnerability.
Repetition is another literary device used by Milton in Psalm 80. The phrase "turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" is repeated three times throughout the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the Israelites' plea for restoration and their faith in God.
Finally, allusion is used by Milton to reference biblical stories and themes. The image of the shepherd is a reference to the biblical story of David, who was a shepherd before he became king of Israel. The metaphor of the vineyard is also a reference to biblical stories about God's relationship with his people.
Interpretation
Psalm 80 is a powerful expression of lamentation and supplication. The poem reflects on the condition of the Israelites and their plea for deliverance. The poem also reflects on the nature of God and his relationship with his people.
The themes of divine intervention, lamentation, and supplication are all central to the poem. The Israelites are portrayed as lost sheep who are in need of a shepherd to guide them. They are depicted as a vineyard that has been destroyed by wild beasts.
The poem ends with a declaration of faith in God. The Israelites express their confidence that God will hear their prayer and restore them. They declare, "so will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name."
In contemporary society, Psalm 80 remains relevant as a powerful expression of human suffering and the need for divine intervention. The themes of lamentation and supplication are universal themes that resonate with people of all faiths and cultures.
Overall, Psalm 80 is a masterpiece of English literature. Milton's use of powerful imagery, metaphor, and repetition serves to convey the Israelites' despair and their plea for deliverance. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry and its ability to express the deepest human emotions.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Psalm 80: A Masterpiece by John Milton
John Milton, the great English poet, is known for his masterpieces such as Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. However, one of his lesser-known works, Psalm 80, is a gem that deserves more recognition. This poem is a beautiful rendition of Psalm 80 from the Bible, and it showcases Milton's poetic prowess and his deep understanding of the human condition.
The poem begins with a plea to God to hear the prayers of his people. The speaker, who is likely the psalmist, implores God to listen to the cries of his people, who are suffering and in need of his help. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a heartfelt plea for God's mercy and grace.
"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us." (Psalm 80:1-2)
The second stanza continues the plea for God's help, but it also introduces the theme of God's anger and the consequences of disobedience. The speaker acknowledges that God has been angry with his people and has punished them for their sins. However, he also pleads with God to forgive them and restore them to their former glory.
"Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O Lord God of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people?" (Psalm 80:3-4)
The third stanza is a beautiful description of God's love for his people. The speaker reminds God of his covenant with his people and how he has always been faithful to them. He also acknowledges that God has been their protector and their guide, and he pleads with God to continue to be their shepherd.
"Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80:5-7)
The fourth stanza is a lamentation for the destruction of God's temple and the loss of his presence. The speaker mourns the loss of God's protection and guidance and pleads with God to restore his temple and his presence among his people.
"Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it. Thou preparedst room before it, and didst cause it to take deep root, and it filled the land. The hills were covered with the shadow of it, and the boughs thereof were like the goodly cedars. She sent out her boughs unto the sea, and her branches unto the river. Why hast thou then broken down her hedges, so that all they which pass by the way do pluck her? The boar out of the wood doth waste it, and the wild beast of the field doth devour it." (Psalm 80:8-13)
The fifth stanza is a plea for God's mercy and restoration. The speaker acknowledges that God has punished his people for their sins, but he also pleads with God to forgive them and restore them to their former glory.
"Return, we beseech thee, O God of hosts: look down from heaven, and behold, and visit this vine; And the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted, and the branch that thou madest strong for thyself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down: they perish at the rebuke of thy countenance. Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand, upon the son of man whom thou madest strong for thyself. So will not we go back from thee: quicken us, and we will call upon thy name. Turn us again, O Lord God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved." (Psalm 80:14-19)
In conclusion, Psalm 80 is a beautiful poem that showcases John Milton's poetic prowess and his deep understanding of the human condition. The poem is a heartfelt plea for God's mercy and grace, and it is a reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. The themes of God's anger, love, and restoration are woven throughout the poem, and they serve as a powerful reminder of God's power and his love for his people. Overall, Psalm 80 is a masterpiece that deserves more recognition and appreciation.
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