Wednesday February 5, 2014
Psalm 72
This majestic psalm would appear to have been written as a royal psalm – asking God’s blessing on the king. But not just any blessing. This psalm-prayer beseeches God to raise up a just king, a righteous king, one whose reign encompasses the poor and needy. This king will be strong, and thus will be respected by other royalty. It is the ideal description of a benevolent, kind and compassionate ruler.
This psalm brings to my mind the great coronation anthem composed by Georg Frederick Handel, Zadok the Priest. Although Handel used text from the first chapter of the First Book of Kings, the sentiment is very similar. Handel composed the anthem for the coronation of George II, and it has been used at every British coronation since.
As you read and reflect on this psalm, I invite you to think about how the king (or queen) or any other state leader could ensure that all of the qualities attributed to that high office could be accomplished. It would seem to me that only when we, as citizens and subjects, work with political leaders, that we can assure that all people are treated with justice, mercy, and compassion. This is our calling, as the Gospels remind us over and over.
-Rev'd Paul Kett
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