Last year around this time I wrote about Praying the Psalms. It is a theme that I would like to revisit this week. The Psalms are a window into the prayer and devotional life of the ancient Israelites. They provide an opportunity for us to discover ancient ways to pray to God. In our modern, fast-paced lives it is helpful to take a step back into the ancient world and hear God through those words.
Psalm 72 is a prayer for guidance for the King. When it was originally written it was likely done so for King Solomon that his reign would be just and prosperous. However, we can pray this Psalm through a Christalogical lens in that the king being spoken of is Christ Jesus. Alternatively, we could adapt this psalm and use it to pray for current day political leaders.
Psalm 72
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
and peace abound, until the moon is no more.May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Long may he live!May gold of Sheba be given to him.
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all day long.
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field.May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed in him;
may they pronounce him happy.Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may his glory fill the whole earth.
Amen and Amen.