Psalms for a Pandemic Summer 9 Psalm 72

Let’s get political.  Psalm 72 is called a Psalm of Solomon.  Although King Solomon is remembered as a great king, the Bible also tells the story of his corruption, his forced labour, his greed, his excesses and oppression.  We can read this Psalm as it appears on the surface, as praise for a wise and holy ruler or as Solomon’s sincere prayer for himself.  Or we can read it as a plea for the government that we all wish we had. 

Photo by Shubham Sharan (unsplash)

 

Give the king your justice, O God,     and your righteousness to a king’s son. 4 May he defend the cause of the poor, give deliverance to the needy,     and crush the oppressor. 5 May he live while the sun endures, 7 May righteousness flourish  and peace abound, until the moon is no more. 8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,     from the River to the ends of the earth. 9 May his foes bow down before him,     and his enemies lick the dust. 11 May all kings fall down before him,     all nations give him service. 12 For he delivers the needy when they call,     the poor and those who have no helper. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,     and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;     and precious is their blood in his sight. May prayer be made for him and blessings invoked for him all day long. 16 May there be abundance of grain in the land; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities     like the grass of the field. 3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness. 18 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,     who alone does wondrous things. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;     may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.

Grant us a government, O God, built on your justice and righteousness.  May it defend the poor and vulnerable and put an end to the bully.  May it be a lasting system that is not threatened with each election cycle.  May it rule the whole country, from sea to sea with regional flexibility and national values.  May those who oppose its just rule be silenced and redeemed.  May other countries look to us for wisdom and guidance.  May they see that caring for the needy with compassion and saving the lives of the poor makes life better for everyone. Remove from our streets all coercion and violence and destruction and fear.   May everyone be treated with respect regardless of colour or creed.  May our natural resources be protected so that they can sustain life now and forever. May our fields feed us, our forests house us, our minerals connect us and our water give us life.  May our cities be places of safety, peace and joy.   Blessed be our God who has shown us the Way.