“Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people..!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
May they fear you 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 the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!..
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has 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 prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
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 people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!” Psalm 72:1-8,11-19
Solomon reveals his heart for God and his dependence on Him for his role as king in the prayer he writes. Prolific in wisdom and passion for God’s people, he deeply desires justice, righteousness, and compassion as he rules. For the people of his kingdom he pleads for abundance, protection, and fear of God. He accepts responsibility for their flourishing and peace, and trusts his Lord to make it so. Beginning with confident dependence, and boldly asking for success and prominence, he closes by blessing God’s name, a pattern he sought- of God remaining foremost and supreme- to undergird his reign. (Psalm 72:9-10)
While we are all called to invoke God’s blessing for those who lead us, the Lord also puts us in position to lead others in various places. Our kingdom venue may be large and widely-influential, or simply within our homes or a small contingent at work or a ministry we render. Do we, like Solomon, grasp the importance of prayer in every responsibility? Do we look to the Lord for His help and specific involvement in these situations? Is His honor, and the highest and best of the people we lead, our mission? (Psalm 75:6-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2; James 4:10)
How much do we really care for those with whom we work and serve? Where God has appointed us authority, are we seeking to execute with righteousness and justice, in ways that please the Lord and exemplify His character? How committed are we to praying for those we lead, for the welfare of our communities and cities? (Psalm 122:6-7; Jeremiah 29:7)
Lord, may my life exemplify Your dominion, and my leadership Your blessedness and grace.
As the rain and snow 