Showing posts with label Psalm 72. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Psalm 72. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2026
Psalm Meditation 1358
¶Proper 8
¶June 28, 2026
¶Psalm 72
¶https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2072&version=NRSVUE
¶This is a good way to pray for a leader. To pray that the leader be attuned to the people, especially the poor and needy. Yes, we want someone who can lead us to victory over our adversaries; however, our first concern is for the people. While our leader cares for those within our borders, we pray a long and prosperous life. In a time and place in which the ruler owns everything and cares for people as a responsible steward of national wealth, we pray that wealth and prosperity flow from the leader all the way to the most needy.
¶Throughout history leaders have been deposed and killed when they forget that they are stewards of the nation’s wealth and reputation. All those who have forgotten their responsibility to the whole nation have suffered the consequences of their forgetfulness. Kings, queens, military dictators, and elected officials have all paid the price for ignoring the plight of all of the people in their care. It has not always been through violence, however, the reckoning does come.
¶We may have difficulty praying for a particular ruler, leader, or official, so this psalm gives us a template for our prayers. We can pray that they rule and lead from a concern for the people first, then for the nation as a whole, and having done those things, for their own legacy and happiness.
¶June 22, 2026
¶LCM
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Psalm Meditation 1206
¶Proper 12
¶July 30, 2023
¶Psalm 72
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+72&version=NRSVUE
(NRSV)
¶For most of us, our first thought is for ourselves and those close to us. The psalmist prays that the ruler of Israel give first thought to those who do not have the power, money, or other resources to fend for themselves. As the poor, needy, and oppressed prosper so do all the other people in the nation. The psalmist knows that when those of the lowest degree are able to thrive and prosper, those of all other groups find their resources increase as well. When the people of a nation prosper, the nation becomes a model and magnet for other nations and peoples.
¶When we live with a scarcity mindset we find ourselves hoarding, storing up for ourselves, just in case the shortage we sense gets worse and worse. Many years ago, probably mid 1980s, a study was done to determine the best way to increase the food supply so that everyone would have enough food to meet their dietary needs. The results of the study were that there was already enough food being produced to feed the people of the world. It was not a scarcity problem, it was a distribution problem.
¶While we have years of experience living with the belief that there can’t possibly be enough of whatever it is to go around, the truth is there is more than enough of all the important resources to take care of all the people of the world. When we join the psalmist in praying and asking that our rulers seek and follow the will of God rather than declaring that God blesses what they desire, we will find ourselves in a peaceable realm that touches each person as a child and heir of God.
¶July 25, 2023
¶LCM
Monday, October 11, 2021
Psalm Meditation 1113
¶Proper 24
¶October 17, 2021
¶Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
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.
15 Long 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.
16 May 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.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
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.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
¶Many of us want what the psalmist wants here; to be governed by people who look out for all of the people they have been entrusted with governing. We want to know that someone is concerned with justice for all, with leading the nation into prosperity, and keeping greedy folks from crushing those who are unable to defend themselves. We have a variety of thoughts on what all of this means, however we do want those who govern us to do so with the interests of all the people in their heart and mind.
¶No matter where we are we want to know that the nation in which we live is the best in a variety of ways. And while we can’t each live in the best place on earth we find ways to make it the place we like the best. We want to believe that our nation is the most biggest and most powerful no matter how much evidence there might be to the contrary. Israel of the psalmist’s day was neither a political nor military powerhouse in the area, despite the psalms that state otherwise.
¶At our best, we will continue to depend on God to point us to and provide those who will lead us in the best of directions. We will pray that our leaders follow the direction they receive from God, even when we do not see the hand of God at work in their lives. We will pray for those who agree with us, as well as for those with whom we disagree, enemies included. “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.”
¶October 11, 2021
¶LCM
Monday, July 31, 2017
Psalm Meditation 894
Proper 13
August 6, 2017
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
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.
15 Long 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.
16 May 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.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
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.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
This psalm is addressed to God, about the king. It can get confusing since the king was the representative of God on earth. The king was expected to live out the priorities of God as he ruled over the people of God. The concerns are in some kind of order of importance. The top priority is righteousness and justice, especially for the poor. When wealth and prosperity come to the nation, the psalmist knows that the king will distribute it righteously, with a special consideration for those who are poor and in need.
The defense of the nation isn’t mentioned until the middle of the psalm, after a long reign of righteousness and peace, with expanded borders. Once the realm has expanded there is another call for care of those who are not able to care for themselves. The psalmist, at least, sees the care of the poor, needy, and oppressed as being the responsibility of those who have wealth, power and influence.
These days we tend to believe that wealth and poverty are the rewards and punishments of individual behavior; we are rich or poor because we deserve to be. The psalmist tells us that we who have resources have some responsibility to those who don’t. We care for each other as people of God. It is not about what we deserve, it is about what God calls us to do with the resources we have.
July 31, 2017
LCM
Proper 13
August 6, 2017
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
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.
15 Long 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.
16 May 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.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
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.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
This psalm is addressed to God, about the king. It can get confusing since the king was the representative of God on earth. The king was expected to live out the priorities of God as he ruled over the people of God. The concerns are in some kind of order of importance. The top priority is righteousness and justice, especially for the poor. When wealth and prosperity come to the nation, the psalmist knows that the king will distribute it righteously, with a special consideration for those who are poor and in need.
The defense of the nation isn’t mentioned until the middle of the psalm, after a long reign of righteousness and peace, with expanded borders. Once the realm has expanded there is another call for care of those who are not able to care for themselves. The psalmist, at least, sees the care of the poor, needy, and oppressed as being the responsibility of those who have wealth, power and influence.
These days we tend to believe that wealth and poverty are the rewards and punishments of individual behavior; we are rich or poor because we deserve to be. The psalmist tells us that we who have resources have some responsibility to those who don’t. We care for each other as people of God. It is not about what we deserve, it is about what God calls us to do with the resources we have.
July 31, 2017
LCM
Monday, January 4, 2016
Psalm Meditation 812
First Sunday After Epiphany
January 10, 2016
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
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.
15 Long 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.
16 May 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.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
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.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
I read this as King David praying for himself, in his roles as agent of God and protector of the people over whom he reigns. He treats God as he has gotten used to being treated as king. ‘Since I have done these things for you, will you now do these things for me?’ Because David has been a faithful agent of God he would appreciate it if God would do him the favor of giving his enemies and adversaries over to him. While it may be David who will receive the tribute payments of these vanquished kings, David will be sure to give the glory to God as the one who is finally the one who does all good things.
I understand that in cultures in which the ruler holds absolute power over the people being ruled there is no question as to who owns any and all assets of the realm. The ruler controls everything. However, the companion understanding is that with those assets the ruler meets the needs of all the people. When a person or group misses out on that care it is each person’s right to petition for the meeting of those needs. A good ruler, especially one who is seen as an agent of God, is then expected to repair this oversight in the care of the people of the realm.
I believe that God cares for us no matter what. I also believe that clans, tribes and nations have a responsibility to care for the people who make up the group. While there is considerable disagreement on how that is done and who is included in that care, I know that we are invited to care for those who need is great. We care because of our own compassion and because we have received the care of God.
January 4, 2016
LCM
First Sunday After Epiphany
January 10, 2016
Psalm 72
1 Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
5 May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May his foes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles render him tribute, may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
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.
15 Long 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.
16 May 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.
17 May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they pronounce him happy.
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.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.
(NRSV)
I read this as King David praying for himself, in his roles as agent of God and protector of the people over whom he reigns. He treats God as he has gotten used to being treated as king. ‘Since I have done these things for you, will you now do these things for me?’ Because David has been a faithful agent of God he would appreciate it if God would do him the favor of giving his enemies and adversaries over to him. While it may be David who will receive the tribute payments of these vanquished kings, David will be sure to give the glory to God as the one who is finally the one who does all good things.
I understand that in cultures in which the ruler holds absolute power over the people being ruled there is no question as to who owns any and all assets of the realm. The ruler controls everything. However, the companion understanding is that with those assets the ruler meets the needs of all the people. When a person or group misses out on that care it is each person’s right to petition for the meeting of those needs. A good ruler, especially one who is seen as an agent of God, is then expected to repair this oversight in the care of the people of the realm.
I believe that God cares for us no matter what. I also believe that clans, tribes and nations have a responsibility to care for the people who make up the group. While there is considerable disagreement on how that is done and who is included in that care, I know that we are invited to care for those who need is great. We care because of our own compassion and because we have received the care of God.
January 4, 2016
LCM
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