“Oh, to have such a ruler!”
By Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Meditation – Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Psalm 72 (Forward, p. 94) CEV p. 597
No wonder this psalm took on Messianic overtones! Surely no earthly king had ever been quite like this. Of course, this could be, as Kidner suggests, an instance of ‘courtly extravagance’, but surely it would be excessive if ever applied to an earthly ruler. No king, no matter how wonderful and righteous, has ever lived up to this paragon of virtue. No wonder some Jewish sources saw it as Messianic and Christian writers saw it as referring to Christ Jesus.
So, let’s just look for a moment at what it says:
a) This ideal ruler will be the guardian of justice and the protector of the poor. Underlying both is a commitment to righteousness in life and practice, righteousness in terms of one’s personal integrity and uprightness and righteousness also in terms of impartiality in legal
decisions, favouring neither the rich nor the poor.
b) Furthermore, under his wise and benevolent rule, shall the land know shalom, which in Biblical understanding, encompasses not only peace but also wholeness and prosperity. Interestingly, we here see ‘righteousness’ as the ‘soil’ from which this shalom is enabled to flourish and grow. We see this expressed several times:
“May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness” (verse 3).
“May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more” (verses 7-8).
“Let cities overflow with food and hills be covered with grain, just like Mount Lebanon. Let the people in the cities prosper like wild flowers” (verse 16).
c) Thirdly, we hear that his reign will not be circumscribed by simple ‘national’ borders but will extend to the ends of the earth (see verses 5-11, 18-17b). Surely, this envisions far more than just the national
borders of a particular nation state, again suggesting that it is the messianic rule that is being spoken of here.
d) And finally, we read of this king’s unique ability: ‘Only you can work miracles’ verses 18 says. And surely this is borne out by what verses 11-13 suggest:
“Make other rulers bow down and all nations serve him. Do this because the king rescues the homeless when they cry out, and he helps everyone who is poor and in need. The king has pity on the weak and the helpless and protects those in need.”
Who has ever known a king like this, an earthly king that lives up to this standard? And yet, is it not a worthy goal, a worthwhile one, even if eventually unattainable? Is it not worth striving for?
And, while ultimately unattainable by mere mortals, has it not been lived out by Jesus? And so, understandably, it gives us all the more reason to praise and exalt Him forever. And so the psalm’s ending is most fitting: “We will always praise your glorious name. Let your glory be seen everywhere on earth. Amen and amen” (verse 19).
Forward notes: “Give the King your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the King’s son; that he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice” (verse 1).
“Psalm 72 is an earnest prayer for a leader. The leadership blueprint is clear. Lead with God’s justice. Defend the needy among the people. Rescue the poor and crush the oppressor. The righteous shall flourish, and there shall be an abundance of peace until the moon is no more. Enemies and foes will bow down. Deliver the poor who cries out in distress and the oppressed who has no helper. Their lives will be redeemed from oppression and violence. And nature, the mountains, the hills, the abundance of grain, and the elements of gold shall bring prosperity to the people. This is God-shaped justice.
“What does justice look like where we are today? How can we, in all that we do, wherever we are, lead and live with this God-shaped justice?”
Moving Forward: “Read all of Psalm 72. How can you incorporate its words into your life?”