Psalm 72 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 72 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 8May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Verse 9May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
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.
Verse 15Long 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.
Verse 16May 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.
Verse 17May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
Verse 18Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Verse 19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
Verse 20The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
Devotion
This psalm is a prayer for God’s blessing on a new king of Israel—that his rule may continue to be an occasion of justice for the poor and needy. Transfers of power are never easy for the rule of any nation, even today with our modern way of life and sophisticated internet communications. We, like the people of Israel, long for rulers who will be agents of the power of God's rule of love, safety, and security in every aspect of life.
Just as the psalmist's community demonstrated its concern for God's people as a new king takes the throne, so Jesus wants to show us the means by which he delivers his kingship to us as the people he loves throughout the whole world today. Our work, our leisure, our relationships—and yes our worship—are all part of God's beautiful fabric of love which has been fully stitched in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus. As King, Jesus comes to us, not as one who forces his way into our hearts, but rather as one who embraces us through all the realities of our daily lives.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as you have embraced us as our King who has come into our lives once again this Christmas, so help us embrace others with your love, grace, and peace. Make us aware that your kingship is not a rule that is forceful or destructive, but a source of life that draws us closer to you through the power and love of your Spirit. Amen.