"Shepherd of Israel". Jesus referred to Himself as the good shepherd. God leads His people like a flock. He does not just lead us as individuals, but as a group of people. We need to understand this if we are to understand His ways.
The use of "Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh" implies that this Psalm is probably written about the Northern Kingdom after Israel split in two. The Northern Kingdom suffered much, and she did so because of her rebellion against God, worshipping false idols.
The nation had become an object of derision among the nations and the Psalmist calls on God to restore them.
He recalls Israel's history. God had transplanted them from Egypt to the Promised Land. He drove out nations so that Israel could live there. Yet now He had removed all protection and had let other nations defeat her.
Verses 17 and 18 seems to be prophetic, pointing forward to the Lord Jesus. Only He can produce a people who will not turn away from God.
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