'Psalm 80' by John Milton
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The Poetical Works of John Milton1648Thou 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 sightAwake* 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 vouchsafeCause 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
Interpreting John Milton's Psalm 80: A Literary Criticism
As a literary masterpiece, Psalm 80 by John Milton exudes a profound sense of beauty, inspiration, and spiritual upliftment. It is a poem that recreates the ancient biblical psalm, as well as Milton's own personal and religious experiences, into a powerful hymn of supplication, lamentation, and praise. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, styles, and techniques that Milton employs in Psalm 80, as well as the historical, cultural, and theological contexts that inform his work. I will also explore how Psalm 80 reflects Milton's own poetic vision, and how it speaks to readers across time and space.
Background and Context
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the historical and cultural context in which Milton was writing. Milton was a seventeenth-century English poet, polemicist, and political activist who lived during a tumultuous era of political and religious upheaval. He was a devout Puritan who had a deep knowledge of the Bible, and who believed that poetry could be a means of expressing and exploring religious truths.
Psalm 80, which is also known as the "Psalm of Asaph," is one of the biblical psalms that is attributed to the Old Testament prophet Asaph. The psalm is a lamentation that describes the suffering of Israel, who has been invaded and destroyed by foreign enemies. The psalmist calls upon God to save and restore Israel, and to show mercy and compassion to his people.
Milton's version of Psalm 80, which was published in his 1673 collection of poems, "Paradise Regained," follows the structure and language of the biblical psalm, but also adds his own poetic flourishes and interpretations. Milton's version of Psalm 80 is written in iambic pentameter, which is a poetic form that consists of ten syllables per line, with each syllable alternating between unstressed and stressed. This gives the poem a rhythmic and musical quality that is reminiscent of the psalms and hymns that were sung in Christian churches.
Themes and Motifs
One of the main themes of Psalm 80 is the concept of divine wrath and mercy. The psalmist describes how God has "breathed out [His] anger" against Israel, and how He has "planted a vine" (Israel) that has been trampled and burned by foreign invaders. The psalmist implores God to turn His anger away from Israel and to show mercy and compassion to his people.
Another theme of Psalm 80 is the idea of restoration and renewal. The psalmist asks God to "turn us again" and to "cause [His] face to shine," indicating a desire for a return to a state of grace and favor with God. The psalmist also asks God to "let [His] hand be upon the man of [His] right hand," which can be interpreted as a plea for God to send a messiah or savior to lead Israel out of its sufferings.
Throughout the poem, there are several recurring motifs that reinforce these themes. One of these motifs is the image of God as a shepherd who tends to his flock. The psalmist describes how God led Israel "like a flock," and how He has "fed [them] with the bread of tears." This image of God as a loving and protective shepherd underscores the psalmist's plea for God to show mercy and compassion to Israel.
Another motif in the poem is the metaphor of Israel as a vine or a plant that has been trampled and destroyed. The psalmist describes how God "brought a vine out of Egypt" and "cast out the heathen," but how the vine has now been uprooted and burned. This image of Israel as a vulnerable and fragile plant reinforces the psalmist's plea for God to restore and renew His people.
Style and Technique
Milton's version of Psalm 80 employs several stylistic and poetic techniques that enhance the beauty and power of the poem. One of these techniques is the use of repetition and parallelism. Throughout the poem, there are several instances where the psalmist repeats phrases or clauses for emphasis. For example, the psalmist repeats the phrase "turn us again" three times in the first three stanzas, and he repeats the phrase "let thy hand be upon the man" twice in the final stanza. This repetition gives the poem a sense of rhythmic unity and reinforces its themes of restoration and renewal.
Another technique that Milton employs is the use of biblical allusions and imagery. Milton draws heavily from the language and imagery of the Bible, particularly the Psalms and the prophets. For example, the image of Israel as a vine or a plant that has been uprooted and burned is a metaphor that is used throughout the Old Testament to describe the suffering of the people of God. By using these biblical images and references, Milton connects his poem to the broader religious and cultural traditions of his time.
Finally, Milton's use of metaphor and symbolism also adds to the richness and depth of the poem. For example, the image of God as a shepherd who tends to his flock is a metaphor that is used throughout the Bible to describe God's relationship with his people. This metaphor helps to reinforce the psalmist's plea for God to show mercy and compassion to Israel. Similarly, the metaphor of Israel as a vine or a plant that has been trampled and destroyed is a powerful image that represents the suffering and vulnerability of God's people.
Interpretation
Interpreting Psalm 80 requires an understanding of the historical, cultural, and theological contexts in which it was written, as well as an appreciation for the poetic techniques and themes that Milton employs. At its core, Psalm 80 is a poem about the suffering of God's people, and their plea for God to show mercy and compassion. It is a poem that speaks to the timeless human desire for restoration and renewal in the face of hardship and adversity.
At the same time, Psalm 80 is also a reflection of Milton's own religious and poetic vision. Milton was deeply committed to the Puritan ideals of piety, morality, and social justice, and he believed that poetry could be a means of expressing these ideals. Psalm 80 reflects Milton's own struggles with faith and doubt, and his belief in the power of poetry to connect people with God.
Overall, Psalm 80 is a masterpiece of Christian poetry that speaks to readers across time and space. It is a poem that reminds us of the enduring power and beauty of the biblical psalms, and of the important role that poetry can play in expressing and exploring religious truths.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Psalm 80: "Thou Shepherd that dost Israel keep" is a classic piece of poetry written by John Milton, one of the greatest poets of the English language. This poem is a beautiful and powerful expression of faith and devotion to God, and it has been cherished by generations of readers for its lyrical beauty and spiritual depth.
In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of Psalm 80, and examine how Milton uses poetic devices to convey his message. We will also look at the historical and cultural context of the poem, and consider its relevance to contemporary readers.
Themes
The central theme of Psalm 80 is the relationship between God and his people, Israel. The poem begins with an appeal to God to listen to the prayers of his people, who are suffering and in need of his help. The speaker addresses God as "Thou Shepherd that dost Israel keep," emphasizing the idea of God as a caring and protective figure who watches over his flock.
The poem then goes on to describe the plight of the people of Israel, who have been scattered and oppressed by their enemies. The speaker asks God to restore his people to their former glory, and to show them his mercy and compassion. The imagery of the vineyard, which appears throughout the poem, symbolizes the people of Israel as a precious and valuable crop that needs to be tended and nurtured.
The final stanza of the poem is a plea for God to reveal himself to his people, and to show them his power and majesty. The speaker asks God to "turn us, and we shall be saved," expressing the hope that God will intervene and bring about a miraculous transformation in the fortunes of his people.
Structure
Psalm 80 is structured as a series of stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm in the poem, which helps to reinforce its emotional impact.
The repetition of the phrase "Thou Shepherd that dost Israel keep" at the beginning of each stanza also serves to unify the poem thematically, emphasizing the central role of God in the lives of his people.
Language and Poetic Devices
Milton's use of language and poetic devices in Psalm 80 is masterful, and contributes greatly to the power and beauty of the poem. One of the most striking features of the poem is its use of imagery, particularly the metaphor of the vineyard. This metaphor is used throughout the poem to symbolize the people of Israel, and their relationship with God.
For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes how God "didst bring a vine out of Egypt," and how he "didst cast out the heathen, and plant it." This imagery of God as a gardener, carefully tending his vineyard, emphasizes the idea of God as a loving and nurturing figure who cares for his people.
Milton also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, in the third stanza, the speaker describes how the enemies of Israel have "made her vineyard a desolation," and how they have "broken down her hedges." The repetition of the "v" and "h" sounds in these lines creates a sense of harshness and violence, emphasizing the destructive power of Israel's enemies.
Finally, Milton's use of language in the final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. The speaker asks God to "turn us, and we shall be saved," using the word "turn" to convey the idea of a sudden and miraculous transformation. This word also has a double meaning, suggesting both a physical turning and a spiritual turning towards God.
Historical and Cultural Context
Psalm 80 was written during a period of great political and religious turmoil in England. Milton was a devout Puritan, and he wrote this poem at a time when the Puritan movement was struggling to gain acceptance in a society dominated by the Anglican Church.
The poem can be seen as a reflection of Milton's own struggles as a Puritan, and his belief in the importance of faith and devotion in the face of adversity. The imagery of the vineyard, with its emphasis on the need for careful cultivation and nurturing, can be seen as a metaphor for the Puritan movement itself, which was struggling to establish itself in a hostile environment.
Relevance to Contemporary Readers
Despite its historical context, Psalm 80 remains a powerful and relevant poem for contemporary readers. Its themes of faith, devotion, and the relationship between God and his people are universal, and can be applied to any religious or spiritual tradition.
The poem also speaks to the human experience of suffering and adversity, and the need for hope and faith in times of crisis. In a world that is often marked by violence, injustice, and oppression, the message of Psalm 80 is one of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of redemption and renewal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Psalm 80 is a classic piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of faith, devotion, and the relationship between God and his people are timeless, and its use of language and poetic devices is masterful.
As we navigate the challenges of our own lives, we can take comfort in the message of Psalm 80, and the hope and resilience it offers. Whether we are facing personal struggles or larger societal issues, the poem reminds us that there is always the possibility of transformation and renewal, and that God is always with us, watching over us like a caring and protective shepherd.
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