Psalm 80:1
New International Version
For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” Of Asaph. A psalm. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

New Living Translation
Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory

English Standard Version
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock. You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Berean Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

King James Bible
To the chief Musician upon ShoshannimEduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth.

New King James Version
To the Chief Musician. Set to “The Lilies.” A Testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who dwell between the cherubim, shine forth!

New American Standard Bible
For the music director; set to El Shoshannim; Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. Listen, Shepherd of Israel, Who leads Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

NASB 1995
For the choir director; set to El Shoshannim; Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

NASB 1977
Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock; Thou who art enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

Legacy Standard Bible
For the choir director. El Shoshannim. Eduth. Of Asaph. A Psalm. O Shepherd of Israel, give ear, You who guide Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!

Amplified Bible
To the Chief Musician; set to [the tune of] “Lilies, a Testimony.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us O Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned above the cherubim [of the ark of the covenant], shine forth!

Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.” † A testimony of Asaph. † A psalm. Listen, Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine

Holman Christian Standard Bible
For the choir director: according to “The Lilies.” A testimony of Asaph. A psalm. Listen, Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned on the cherubim, rise up

American Standard Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that sittest above the cherubim, shine forth.

Contemporary English Version
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

English Revised Version
For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that sittest upon the cherubim, shine forth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
[For the choir director; according to [shoshannim eduth]; by Asaph; a psalm.] Open your ears, O Shepherd of Israel, the one who leads [the descendants of] Joseph like sheep, the one who is enthroned over the angels.

Good News Translation
Listen to us, O Shepherd of Israel; hear us, leader of your flock. Seated on your throne above the winged creatures,

International Standard Version
Shepherd of Israel, listen! The one who leads Joseph like a flock, the one enthroned on the cherubim, display your glory.

Majority Standard Bible
For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth

NET Bible
For the music director; according to the shushan-eduth style; a psalm of Asaph. O shepherd of Israel, pay attention, you who lead Joseph like a flock of sheep! You who sit enthroned above the winged angels, reveal your splendor!

New Heart English Bible
[For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "The Lilies of the Covenant." A Psalm by Asaph.] Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine forth.

Webster's Bible Translation
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim Eduth, A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubim, shine forth.

World English Bible
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm by Asaph. Hear us, Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock, you who sit above the cherubim, shine out.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
TO THE OVERSEER. [SET] TO “LILIES OF TESTIMONY.” A PSALM OF ASAPH. Shepherd of Israel, give ear, "" Leading Joseph as a flock, "" Inhabiting the cherubim—shine forth,

Young's Literal Translation
To the Overseer. -- 'On the Lilies.' A testimony of Asaph. -- A Psalm. Shepherd of Israel, give ear, Leading Joseph as a flock, Inhabiting the cherubs -- shine forth,

Smith's Literal Translation
To the overseer for the lilies of the testimonies; to Asaph a chanting. O thou feeding Israel, give ear, guiding Joseph as sheep; thou dwelling in the cherubs, shine forth.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Unto the end, for them that shall he changed, a testimony for Asaph, a psalm. Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep. Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, shine forth

Catholic Public Domain Version
Unto the end. For those who will be changed. The testimony of Asaph. A Psalm. The One who reigns over Israel: Be attentive. For you lead Joseph like a sheep. The One who sits upon the cherubim: Shine forth

New American Bible
For the leader; according to “Lilies.” Eduth. A psalm of Asaph. [2] O Shepherd of Israel, lend an ear, you who guide Joseph like a flock! Seated upon the cherubim, shine forth

New Revised Standard Version
Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
GIVE ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that sittest upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Shepherd of Israel, give ear and lead Joseph like a flock! Be revealed sitting upon the cherubim!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For the Leader; upon Shoshannim. A testimony. A Psalm of Asaph. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; Thou that art enthroned upon the cherubim, shine forth.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
For the end, for alternate strains, a testimony for Asaph, a Psalm concerning the Assyrian. Attend, O Shepherd of Israel, who guidest Joseph like a flock; thou who sittest upon the cherubs, manifest thyself;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Hear Us, O Shepherd of Israel
1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies of the Covenant.” A Psalm of Asaph. Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, who leads Joseph like a flock; You who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth 2before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Rally Your mighty power and come to save us.…

Cross References
John 10:11
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Ezekiel 34:11-12
For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Behold, I Myself will search for My flock and seek them out. / As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.

Isaiah 40:11
He tends His flock like a shepherd; He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart. He gently leads the nursing ewes.

John 10:14
I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me,

Jeremiah 31:10
Hear, O nations, the word of the LORD, and proclaim it in distant coastlands: “The One who scattered Israel will gather them and keep them as a shepherd keeps his flock.

Hebrews 13:20
Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,

Isaiah 63:11
Then His people remembered the days of old, the days of Moses. Where is He who brought them through the sea with the shepherds of His flock? Where is the One who set His Holy Spirit among them,

1 Peter 5:4
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

Micah 7:14
Shepherd with Your staff Your people, the flock of Your inheritance. They live alone in a woodland, surrounded by pastures. Let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old.

Matthew 2:6
‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’”

Ezekiel 34:23
I will appoint over them one shepherd, My servant David, and he will feed them. He will feed them and be their shepherd.

John 10:27-28
My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me. / I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them out of My hand.

Isaiah 49:9-10
to say to the prisoners, ‘Come out,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Show yourselves.’ They will feed along the pathways, and find pasture on every barren hill. / They will not hunger or thirst, nor will scorching heat or sun beat down on them. For He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.

Revelation 7:17
For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. ‘He will lead them to springs of living water,’ and ‘God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”

Genesis 49:24
Yet he steadied his bow, and his strong arms were tempered by the hands of the Mighty One of Jacob, in the name of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,


Treasury of Scripture

Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you that lead Joseph like a flock; you that dwell between the cherubim, shine forth.

A.

Psalm 45:1
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, for the sons of Korah, Maschil, A Song of loves. My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.

Psalm 60:1
To the chief Musician upon Shushaneduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aramnaharaim and with Aramzobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

Psalm 69:1
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

A Psalm.

give ear

Psalm 5:1
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

Psalm 55:1
To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

O Shepherd

Psalm 23:1,2
A Psalm of David. The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want…

Isaiah 40:11
He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Ezekiel 34:23
And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd.

leadest

Psalm 77:20
Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 78:52
But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.

Isaiah 49:9,10
That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places…

dwellest

Psalm 99:1
The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.

Exodus 25:20-22
And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be…

1 Samuel 4:4
So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God.

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Psalm 80
1. The psalmist in his prayer complains of the miseries of the church
8. God's former favors are turned into judgments
14. He prays for deliverance














Hear us
The plea "Hear us" is a direct appeal to God, emphasizing the urgency and desperation of the psalmist's request. In Hebrew, the word "hear" is "שָׁמַע" (shama), which implies not just listening but also responding. This reflects a deep faith in God's ability to intervene and act on behalf of His people. The psalmist is confident that God is attentive to the cries of His people, a theme that resonates throughout the Scriptures, where God is portrayed as a responsive and compassionate deity.

O Shepherd of Israel
The title "Shepherd of Israel" is rich with pastoral imagery, portraying God as a caring and guiding presence. The Hebrew word for shepherd, "רֹעֶה" (ro'eh), conveys the idea of one who tends, protects, and leads. This metaphor is deeply rooted in the cultural and historical context of ancient Israel, where shepherding was a common occupation. It evokes the image of God as a personal and intimate caretaker, reminiscent of other biblical passages such as Psalm 23, where the Lord is depicted as a shepherd who provides and protects.

who leads Joseph like a flock
The phrase "who leads Joseph like a flock" refers to God's guidance and leadership over the tribes of Israel, often collectively referred to as "Joseph" in poetic texts. The name "Joseph" here symbolizes the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which descended from the sons of Joseph, Ephraim, and Manasseh. The imagery of leading a flock underscores God's role as a divine guide, ensuring the safety and well-being of His people. This reflects the historical reality of God's covenant relationship with Israel, where He promised to lead and protect them as His chosen people.

You who sit enthroned between the cherubim
The depiction of God as one who "sits enthroned between the cherubim" draws from the imagery of the Ark of the Covenant, where the presence of God was believed to dwell. The cherubim were angelic beings depicted on the Ark's cover, symbolizing God's majesty and holiness. This phrase highlights God's sovereignty and His position as the ultimate ruler and judge. It also emphasizes the sacredness of God's presence, which was central to Israel's worship and identity as a nation set apart for His purposes.

shine forth
The call for God to "shine forth" is a plea for divine intervention and revelation. The Hebrew word "יָפַע" (yapha) means to shine or to appear, suggesting a manifestation of God's glory and power. This request for God to reveal Himself in a tangible way reflects the psalmist's desire for deliverance and restoration. It is a reminder of the times in Israel's history when God's presence was visibly demonstrated, such as in the pillar of fire and cloud during the Exodus. The psalmist longs for a similar display of God's power to bring hope and salvation to His people.

(1) The reference to the shepherd, so characteristic of the Asaphic psalms, is, no doubt, here chosen especially in recollection of Genesis 48:15; Genesis 49:24. "Shepherd" and "Rock" were Jacob's especial names for God, as the "Fear" was that of Isaac, and the "Mighty" that of Abraham; but in the blessing of Joseph the patriarch seems to have made more than usually solemn pronunciation of it. It is, therefore, very doubtful whether we must press the selection of Joseph here as a distinct and intended reference to the northern tribes or kingdom, in distinction to Judah or the southern kingdom.

Dwellest.--Rather, sittest (enthroned). (Comp. Psalm 99:1.) That this is not a merely poetical idea drawn from clouds (as possibly in Psalm 18:10), but is derived from the throne, upheld by the wings of the sculptured cherubim in the Temple, is proved by Exodus 25:22. (Comp. Numbers 7:89. Comp. also "chariot of the cherubim," 1Chronicles 28:18; Ecclesiasticus 49:8; also Isaiah 6:1; Isaiah 37:16; Ezekiel 1:26.) . . .

Verse 1. - Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. The title, "Shepherd of Israel," is a new one; but it follows naturally from the metaphor, so often employed (Psalm 74:1; Psalm 77:20; Psalm 78:52; Psalm 79:13), of Israel being God's "flock." Thou that leadest Joseph like a flock. "Thou that leddest" (Cheyne). The mention of "Joseph" shows at once that the thoughts of the psalmist are fixed on the northern kingdom. Thou that dwellest between the cherubims. The two cherubim that overshadowed the mercy seat seem to be meant. Shine forth; i.e. "show thyself - manifest thy might" (comp. Psalm 50:2).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
For the choirmaster.
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ (lam·naṣ·ṣê·aḥ)
Preposition-l, Article | Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5329: To glitter from afar, to be eminent, to be permanent

To the tune of
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

“The Lilies of the Covenant.”
עֵד֖וּת (‘ê·ḏūṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7802: Shoshannim-Eduth -- Shushan-eduth

A Psalm
מִזְמֽוֹר׃ (miz·mō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4210: Instrumental music, a poem set to notes

of Asaph.
לְאָסָ֣ף (lə·’ā·sāp̄)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 623: Asaph -- 'gatherer', the name of several Israelites

Hear us,
הַאֲזִ֗ינָה (ha·’ă·zî·nāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 238: To broaden out the ear, to listen

O Shepherd
רֹ֘עֵ֤ה (rō·‘êh)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7462: To tend a, flock, pasture it, in, to graze, to rule, to associate with

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל ׀ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

who leads
נֹהֵ֣ג (nō·hêḡ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5090: To drive forth, lead, carry away, to proceed, to sigh

Joseph
יוֹסֵ֑ף (yō·w·sêp̄)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3130: Joseph -- 'he increases', a son of Jacob, also the name of several Israelites

like a flock;
כַּצֹּ֣אן (kaṣ·ṣōn)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

You who sit enthroned
יֹשֵׁ֖ב (yō·šêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

[between] the cherubim,
הַכְּרוּבִ֣ים (hak·kə·rū·ḇîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3742: Probably an order of angelic beings

shine forth.
הוֹפִֽיעָה׃ (hō·w·p̄î·‘āh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 3313: To shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to shine


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OT Poetry: Psalm 80:1 For the Chief Musician (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 79:13
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