READ Psalm 72:1–7. 1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. 5 May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
GOOD GOVERNMENT. Only if you have experienced life in a country in which the state is corrupt and the rule of law has failed can you appreciate the blessing of good government. The great king depicted here brings social justice to the poor and marginalized (verses 2–4). The economy thrives because of good stewardship of assets and the deep trust among people that is necessary for commerce (verses 3 and 6–7). God is a God who is deeply concerned about these things. But the heading says this is a psalm “of Solomon,” and even he, David’s son, became an oppressor of his people (1 Kings 12:4). So the psalm provokes us to long for a better king than the best government has ever provided.
Prayer: Grant, O Lord, that the course of this world may be so peaceably ordered by your governance, that your people may joyfully serve you in all godly quietness.65 Amen.