Originally posted: 11/03/2020

Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
² May he judge Your people with righteousness
And Your afflicted with justice, (72:1-2).

Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king, David’s son, possibly written by Solomon and for Solomon. Scholars believe this psalm continued to be used during coronations of Judah’s succeeding kings as a prayer and blessing over their upcoming reigns.

It’s an appropriate psalm to consider this day; Election Day, 2020, in the U.S.A (and every election day to come). For while we are not ruled by a king, Psalm 72 is a guide we can most certainly pray for our next president, regardless of whether we agree with the outcome or not. Because what is truly most important, is not who sits in the White House, but Who is seated on His Throne above. For it is God alone Who works wonders on the earth.

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
¹⁹ And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen, and Amen, (72:18-19).

And it is also God alone Who appoints our governing authorities.

Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God, (Romans 13:1).

From NIV Study Bible:
“These verses [Ps 72] expressed the desire of the nation that the king’s reign will, as a consequence of God’s endowment of His servant, be characterized by justice and righteousness, the supreme virtues of kingship. The prayer reflects the ideal concept of the king and the glorious effects of his reign… Later Jewish tradition saw this psalm as a description of the Messiah, as did the early church…
72:1 The basic prayer [for justice and righteousness]: May the king be endowed with a gift for and the love of justice and righteousness so that his reign reflects the rule of God Himself.”

So while the prayer is for the earthly king, Psalm 72 is a request for the Lord God to give His Judgments and His Righteousness to the ruling human authority, and beautifully depicts the King of all kings and His Righteous Judgments.

Consider His Righteous Judgments

• His Righteous Judgments judge the afflicted with righteousness and justice.
  • May he judge Your people with righteousness
    And Your afflicted with justice, (72:2).

• His Righteous Judgments bring peace to the people.
  • Let the mountains bring peace to the people,
    And the hills, in righteousness, (72:3).

• His Righteous Judgments vindicate the afflicted, the needy and the oppressed.
  • May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
    Save the children of the needy
    And crush the oppressor, (72:4).

• His Righteous Judgments encompass the nation with His awesome presence.
  • Let them fear You while the sun endures,
    And as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
    ⁶ May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,
    Like showers that water the earth, (72:5-6).

• His Righteous Judgments cause the righteous to flourish and peace to abound.
  • In his days may the righteous flourish,
    And abundance of peace till the moon is no more, (72:7).

• His Righteous Judgments magnify His sovereign and praiseworthy reign.
  • May he also rule from sea to sea
    And from the River to the ends of the earth…
    ¹¹ And let all kings bow down before him,
    All nations serve him, (72:8, 11).

• His Righteous Judgments deliver those who have no helper.
  • For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help,
    The afflicted also, and him who has no helper, (72:12).

• His Righteous Judgments bestow His compassion on the poor and needy.
  • He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
    And the lives of the needy he will save, (72:13).

• His Righteous Judgments treat lives as precious, rescuing them from oppression and violence.
  • He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
    And their blood will be precious in his sight, (72:14).

• His Righteous Judgments advance growth and prosperity.
  • May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains;
    Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;
    And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth, (72:16).

• His Righteous Judgments increase His enduring Name.
  • May his name endure forever;
    May his name increase as long as the sun shines… (72:17).

• His Righteous Judgments bless those under His care.
  • …And let men bless themselves by him;
    Let all nations call him blessed, (72:17).

How do we respond to His Righteous Judgments?

Today as we consider the prayer for Israel’s kings, let us pray for our governing authorities. Oh, what a country we would be if our president, our legislators and our judges were endowed with His Righteous Judgments to rule our nation.

But let us never forget, first and foremost, we are citizens of His Kingdom, and our King always rules by His Righteous Judgments.

Today…

Let us pray for His Righteous Judgments to be made known to all.

First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, ² for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth, (1 Timothy 2:1-3).

Let us believe and trust His Righteous Judgments.

Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
And Your law is truth.
¹⁴³ Trouble and anguish have come upon me,
Yet Your commandments are my delight.
¹⁴⁴ Your testimonies are righteous forever;
Give me understanding that I may live, (Psalm 119:142-144).

Let us rest in His Righteous Judgments.

For the Lord is our judge,
The Lord is our lawgiver,
The Lord is our king;
He will save us— (Isaiah 33:22).

Let us rejoice in His Righteous Judgments.

The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice;
Let the many islands be glad.
² Clouds and thick darkness surround Him;
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne, (Psalm 97:1-2).

And let us daily choose to live with eternity in mind. Oh, that we would live our lives in love and faith; ever aware that this life is temporary, knowing our future is not only secure in Him, but the day is coming when we will also be awarded by His Righteous Judgments.

in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing, (2 Timothy 4:8).

And let us fervently pray for our leaders, that they would “be endowed with a gift for and the love of justice and righteousness… that… reflects the rule of God Himself,” NIV Study Bible.

Let’s Grow Together!