RG AUDIO 111315
Psalm 72:(0) By Shlomo:
The scope of the psalm reaches beyond Judah, however, culminating with an echo of God’s covenant with Abraham (v. 17b; see Genesis 12:3). The result of a just and righteous reign will be shalom (“prosperity,” Psalm 72:3), not just for Judah but extending to the nations.
This psalm should encourage us to pray that government leaders will exercise leadership that leads to shalom. Additionally, this psalm has been viewed as pointing to the Messiah since no Davidic king endured forever (v. 17a); Isaac Watts’ hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign,” originated from this psalm. Even as Israel’s kings were to mirror God’s reign, so, too, the Church, the body of Christ, should exemplify the reign of God. Though not yet what we shall be still we are called to live lives that glorify God and extend God's blessings to others.
Hymn for Today: "Jesus Shall Reign" by Isaac Watts
(1) God, give the king your fairness in judgment,
endow this son of kings with your righteousness,
2 so that he can govern your people rightly
and your poor with justice.
3 May mountains and hills provide your people
with peace through righteousness.
4 May he defend the oppressed among the people,
save the needy and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun endures
and as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on mown grass,
like showers watering the land.
7 In his days, let the righteous flourish
and peace abound, till the moon is no more.
8 May his empire stretch from sea to sea,
from the [Euphrates] River to the ends of the earth.
9 May desert-dwellers bow before him;
may his enemies lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and the coasts will pay him tribute;
the kings of Sh’va and S’va will offer gifts.
11 Yes, all kings will prostrate themselves before him;
all nations will serve him.
12 For he will rescue the needy when they cry,
the poor too and those with none to help them.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy;
and the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence;
their blood will be precious in his view.
15 May [the king] live long!
May they give him gold from the land of Sh’va!
May they pray for him continually;
yes, bless him all day long.
16 May there be an abundance of grain in the land,
all the way to the tops of the mountains.
May its crops rustle like the L’vanon.
May people blossom in the city like the grasses in the fields.
17 May his name endure forever,
his name, Yinnon, as long as the sun.[Psalm 72:17 Or: “May his name flourish/propagate as long as the sun.” Jewish tradition considers Yinnon a name of the Messiah.]
May people bless themselves in him,
may all nations call him happy.
18 Blessed be Adonai, God,
the God of Isra’el,
who alone works wonders.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever,
and may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
"With Justice and Righteousness" by Author: Rhonda Carrim
Likely meant as both coronation prayer and reminder for the Davidic kings, Psalm 72 places their reign within the context of God’s overarching reign. Justice and righteousness, the foundations of God’s reign, are the twin virtues meant to guide each ruler’s actions. The specific task highlighted for the king was to care for the afflicted and the needy (vv. 4, 12-14).The scope of the psalm reaches beyond Judah, however, culminating with an echo of God’s covenant with Abraham (v. 17b; see Genesis 12:3). The result of a just and righteous reign will be shalom (“prosperity,” Psalm 72:3), not just for Judah but extending to the nations.
This psalm should encourage us to pray that government leaders will exercise leadership that leads to shalom. Additionally, this psalm has been viewed as pointing to the Messiah since no Davidic king endured forever (v. 17a); Isaac Watts’ hymn, “Jesus Shall Reign,” originated from this psalm. Even as Israel’s kings were to mirror God’s reign, so, too, the Church, the body of Christ, should exemplify the reign of God. Though not yet what we shall be still we are called to live lives that glorify God and extend God's blessings to others.
Hymn for Today: "Jesus Shall Reign" by Isaac Watts
1. Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
does its successive journeys run;
his kingdom spread from shore to shore,
till moons shall wax and wane no more.
2. To Jesus endless prayer be made,
and endless praises crown his head;
his name like sweet perfume shall rise
with every morning sacrifice.
3. People and realms of every tongue
dwell on his love with sweetest song;
and infant voices shall proclaim
their early blessings on his name.
4. Blessings abound where'er he reigns;
all prisoners leap and loose their chains;
the weary find eternal rest,
and all who suffer want are blest.
5. Let every creature rise and bring
honors peculiar to our King;
angels descend with songs again,
and earth repeat the loud amen!
Thought for Today:
"The God of Isra’el spoke;
the Rock of Isra’el said to me,
‘A ruler over people must be upright,
ruling in the fear of God;
like the morning light at sunrise
on a cloudless day
that makes the grass on the earth
sparkle after a rain.’" 2 Samuel 23:3-4
Please pray:
Please pray:
For the churches organized as a result of evangelism efforts in Mesoamerica.
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