God’s Guiding Word: Discipleship
Introduction
Psalm 72: This psalm is an intercessory prayer for the king, with petitions for the king’s righteous judgment, long life, and worldwide rule marked by justice. This psalm is often read on the Feast of the Epiphany (which is today) in conjunction with Matthew 2:1–12, which describes the visit of the wise men from the East who pay homage to Jesus, the newborn king. Take note of verses 10 and 11 in today’s reading.
Scripture Reading
Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God;
share with him your own justice,
2 so that he will rule over your people with justice
and govern the oppressed with righteousness.
3 May the land enjoy prosperity;
may it experience righteousness.
4 May the king judge the poor fairly;
may he help the needy
and defeat their oppressors.
5 May your people worship you as long as the sun shines,
as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come.
6 May the king be like rain on the fields,
like showers falling on the land.
7 May righteousness flourish in his lifetime,
and may prosperity last as long as the moon gives light.
8 His kingdom will reach from sea to sea,
from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.
9 The peoples of the desert will bow down before him;
his enemies will throw themselves to the ground.
10 The kings of Spain and of the islands will offer him gifts;
the kings of Sheba and Seba[b] will bring him offerings.
11 All kings will bow down before him;
all nations will serve him.
12 He rescues the poor who call to him,
and those who are needy and neglected.
13 He has pity on the weak and poor;
he saves the lives of those in need.
14 He rescues them from oppression and violence;
their lives are precious to him.
15 Long live the king!
May he be given gold from Sheba;[c]
may prayers be said for him at all times;
may God’s blessings be on him always!
16 May there be plenty of grain in the land;
may the hills be covered with crops,
as fruitful as those of Lebanon.
May the cities be filled with people,
like fields full of grass.
17 May the king’s name never be forgotten;
may his fame last as long as the sun.
May all nations ask God to bless them
as he has blessed the king.[d]
18 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel!
He alone does these wonderful things.
19 Praise his glorious name forever!
May his glory fill the whole world.
Amen! Amen!
20 This is the end of the prayers of David son of Jesse.
Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 72:1
Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice.
Reflect
The petitions in this psalm read almost like a job description for a king. What verses indicate how a king should rule? What petitions do you think are relevant for leaders today? What petitions resonate most with you? Why?
Pray
Righteous and loving God, I will praise your glorious name forever and worship you alone. May all nations seek your blessing, may your justice flourish throughout the earth, and may your glory fill the whole world. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Colossians 3:5–17: The apostle Paul describes the old life and the new.