The Vineyard of the Lord Is the House of Israel
When we forget God’s constant mercy and forgiveness, we turn to complaining to God and wonder why things happen to us. Psalm 80 is a communal psalm of lament. Today’s psalm response is taken from the 1st reading. The reading from Israel is an allegory. God plants a vineyard, tends it lovingly; but instead of good fruit, it yields “rotten” grapes. The rotten grapes are the outcry of the oppressed. Despite the teaching of the Law and the prophets, the people have turned their backs on God. As in last week’s psalm, this psalm sings of God’s mercy and care when we fail to be faithful. The verses sung in today’s psalm seem to be a direct response to the first reading, asking God for another chance and knowing God always cares.
You brought a vine out of Egypt;
to plant it you drove out the nations.
It stretched out its branches to the sea,
to the Great River it stretched out its shoots.
Then why have you broken down its walls?
It is plucked by all who pass by.
It is ravaged by the boar of the forest,
devoured by the beasts of the field.
God of hosts turn again,
we implore look down from heaven and see.
Visit the vine and protect it,
the vine your right hand has planted.
And we shall never forsake you again;
give us life that we may call upon your name.
God of hosts, bring us back;
let your face shine on us and we shall be saved.
[verses adapted from People’s Companion to the Breviary © 1997 by the Carmelites of Indianapolis]