Today's Daily Lesson comes from Psalm 72 verses
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear 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 children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
Here is the prayer offered by the priest at the coronation of King Solomon of Israel.
It begins with a plea for just leadership, Justice being both individual and also social. The priest prays that the king will make decisions which flow out from his own just and right character, which then in turn yield a more just community and nation. The court is to be a place of equality and justice for all people. Fair standards and equal weights for all are the cornerstones. The wellbeing of the poor is to be especially considered in the public square.
Prosperity of nation is prayed for. There is hope that the country's storehouses will be full. This prosperity is not seen in a strictly economic harvest. The harvest of righteousness is also prayed for. The priest knows that in order for the nation to be great it also must be good.
Again, the interests of the poor are lifted up. Their children are remembered also. These are the most vulnerable in society. The king is charged to protect their interests, to care and watch over them, and to protect them from harm and exploitation. The king must be a strong faithful champion and defender against all the enemies of his people -- foreign and domestic.
This is a prayer not only for King Solomon in his time; this is a prayer for our time and for our next leader also.
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