Psalm 72:1-5, 12-15, 17, 20 NIV
Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
Psalm 72 is the last psalm attributed to King David. The scripture even makes a note of it in verse 20. The psalm is an intercession for the king for the sake of Israel.
The psalm entreats the Lord to grant the king righteousness that he might rule the people with justice. The psalm asks for prosperity for the land and its inhabitants. With righteousness the king will rule with concern for all Israel. The poor and afflicted will not be left out. Their needs will be attended to by the king.
Such a king will be a blessing to Israel and to the name of the Lord. God is trusted to defend the nation against all enemies as the Lord rides out with Israel's armies. Justice shall reign and the weak shall no longer be prey for the violent and the greedy. The king shall protect them and rescue them that are in peril.
It's a beautiful picture of an idealized theocracy. Blessing goes from God to the king, from the king to the people, and from the people of Israel to the whole world. Such a society will be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.
The psalm is depicting Israel's understanding of their covenant relationship with God. If the king obeys the covenant and leads the people to keep all God's laws and religious observances, God will dwell among the people. God's presence means blessing. They are blessed with God's right ways through keeping the law. They are blessed with prosperity and protection.
As the nation thrives they are a light to all the rest. The prophet's vision is that all nations will come streaming into Jerusalem bringing gifts to honor the God of Israel. This psalm seeks the fulfillment of such a vision of the future.
It's fitting to end this section with an eye toward a hope filled future. The Holy Bible ends with Revelation, a powerful vision of the ultimate triumph of God and those who love Him.
As we prepare to elect a new president and fill other political offices, let us remember to pray for them in accordance with God's vision for the world. It is a vision of one great human family united in Christ. May God endow them with righteousness and justice, with compassion and courage.
Maranatha! COME LORD JESUS!
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