Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king's son.
Verse 2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
Verse 3May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
Verse 4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
Verse 5May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
Verse 6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
Verse 7In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Verse 10May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
Verse 11May all kings fall down before him, all nations give him service.
Verse 12For he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.
Verse 13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.
Verse 14From oppression and violence he redeems their life; and precious is their blood in his sight.
Devotion
In the midst of this seemingly endless election season – with the Iowa caucuses just a few days away – we hear constant analysis of whether this candidate or that one is better suited to lead our country. One is more charismatic; another has more experience; still another has a better understanding of the issues at hand. It’s hard to know what qualities will serve our next president best.
The psalmist had an idea. The ideal leader should be just and fair. He or she should be faithful and steadfast. Wise and generous. Strong and tender-hearted. But most of all, this person should care deeply about “the least of these” – the needy, the disabled, the victimized, the destitute. True leadership, the psalmist seems to be saying, is found not by who is following, but by who is reached.
Prayer
Fair and just God, you care deeply about all people of this world. Use me – use my country’s leaders – to reach out to those who need compassion and encouragement. Amen.