Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
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.
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Questions
1. Many of the royal psalms offer prayer for the king’s might and wisdom. Today, offer a prayer for those who are in charge of our country, state, city, courts, schools, or churches.
2. The royal psalms speak of power, but it is different from the corrupted power we see in our world. What clues do the psalmists give to help us distinguish between God’s power and human power?
3. This week’s psalms include examples of petitions to God and thanksgiving for gifts received from God. Try to find a balance of praise, thanksgiving, and requests as you interact with people today.
4. Psalmists praise God’s mighty power and strength, but also God’s gentle protection and steadfast presence. What attributes of God do you read in today’s psalm? What attributes of God do you need to focus on in your life today?
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