Practical and Pastoral Observations on the Book of Psalms (please read each chapter slowly and meditatively before reading observations below):

 

Psalm 50

God is the Righteous Judge (v.6) of all the earth: He summoning all men - "from the rising of the sun to its setting" (v.1) - to hear His verdict and take corrective measures - i.e. to "order his way aright" (v.23) - so as to see the salvation of God.

 

God's righteousness does not ignore visible behavior, far from it, but God looks first at the roots of the visible, in the human heart. God is not fooled by, nor is He to be served with, external behaviours (sacrifices, v.8) but with a grateful, trusting and obedient heart (v.14)

 

God's righteousness is to be lived before it is spoken. For the privilege of speaking of God's law and covenant we must live in a way that honours Him (v.16). This is said not to dissuade God's people from speaking of Him, rather to encourage us to speak out of a heart fully devoted to Him. Words without a life to match are without value to reveal the only true God; life without words is also incomplete.

My Prayer: "Lord, purify your church so that those who call on your Name honour You aright. How often we have dishonored You to our shame. Purify our hearts so that no accusation can be made against your people - judge Your people now so that the world need not do so - not for our sake but for Your Glory!"

Psalm 51

 

It is God against whom I sin (v.4) even when my sin hurts others, both because 1.) it is God's standard of holiness I violate when wounding a fellow human being and because 2.) God is immanent (as well as transcendent) and is therefore sinned against when I hurt others or His creation.

 

Freedom begins with confession: How wonderfully, honestly and thoroughly David brings his sin to God. There is no shortcut, no ignoring sin hoping it will just go away, no other way to become free. Therefore I will come quickly, immediately when I become aware, with my temptation, sin and guilt to the Lord for cleansing, forgiveness and release.

 

God forgives: I cannot by myself get away from my sin or its guilt (v.3), only God can "blot out all my iniquities" (v.9) and restore me (v.10-12). Gratefully I acknowledge (v.17): "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

My Prayer: "Lord, enable me to be honest with myself ("truth in the innermost being") and wise, and give me a clean, steadfast (v.10), joyful and willing (v.12) spirit."

Psalm 52

 

God is our confidence when evil has wounded us or seems to prevail (as it did when Doeg betrayed David in I Sam. 21-22).

 

God is good: We remain strong in the Lord in the face of evil, disappointment or difficulty - because God is good (v.8-9). Note that David doesn't attempt to 'solve' the 'problem of evil' as a philosopher, but rests in God who alone can and will.

v.8 "But as for me, I am like a green olive tree (symbolizing prosperity and longevity) in the house of God; I trust in the loving-kindness of God forever and ever."

The End of the Story: When disturbed by the presence of evil or evil men, I will remind myself of their end (v.5) and of the Lord's coming to set things right (v.9).

My Prayer: "Father, make me strong, confident in You and patient in history as I worship and obey You and "wait on" (v.9) the coming of the Day of the Lord!"

Psalm 53

 

God is the source of our salvation (v.6); to reject God (v.1) is therefore to suffer ultimate loss.

 

Doctrine affects conduct: What one believes is not of theoretical or armchair interest. People live consistently with what they believe. Doctrine (e.g. 'no God' v.1, therefore no accountability) always eventually affects conduct (e.g. 'corrupt') cf. vs.1b & 3.

 

Decisions of the Heart: The decision to deny God is birthed not in one's mind but in one's heart (v.1). The heart has reasons of which the minds knows not. It's not that the mind is not of great value, it is. (I don't expand on the value of the mind here; many others have done so eloquently.) Yet the mind is directed by the heart, not vice versa. And we can perceive with our hearts what cannot be perceived with our minds. Therefore I will turn my heart towards God continually to learn wisdom.

My Prayer: "Father, thank for helping me see that the issues of the mind are always issues of the heart first. Father, keep my heart pure, in Jesus' name, Amen."

Psalm 54

 

Those who set themselves up against us: Why some set themselves up as enemies against us is not always clear. Yet God sustains us in the face of those who do so (v.3). Cf. v. 4: "Behold, God is my helper; The Lord is the sustainer of my soul."

 

Response to enemies: Enemies are not easy to love but doing so begins with the realization that God is greater and His justice will endure (v.5). For this reason we seek not to be defensive or angry when attacked, verbally or otherwise, but ideally to seek to learn from our enemies and develop relationship and reconciliation with them.

 

Final trust: Some enemies refuse reconciliation or love and remain implacable and I must entrust them to God.

My Prayer: Father, I pray for those whose enemies have against them solely because they trust Christ as Savior. Father, enable them and me to love my enemies as Jesus did on the Cross. In His name and for His glory, Amen.

Psalm 55

 

David prays in anguish (with respect to himself, vs. 1-8), in anger (with respect to his enemies, vs. 9-15), in assurance (with respect to God, vs. 16-23).

 

God is Faithful: God is unchanging (v.19), He hears and saves (v.16f), He is worthy of trust (v.23).

V. 22: "Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

 

The Anguish of Betrayal: humans break trust (v.13f, 20f) and wound their friends. I must be conscious of vulnerability to this self-seeking in myself also and never be one of them, rather be trustworthy as the Lord. David's anguish is beyond the physical danger he faced because of his betrayal; but that it came from one who pretended to be a friend (vs. 12-14)

 

(Differing with a friend: This does not mean of course endorsing a friend who chooses to do wrong. While we cannot always agree with our friends or do what they wish; we can commit not disagree or go a different direction behind their backs. We must be straightforward, explaining what we believe is right and why we will do it.)

My Prayer: Lord, I have never suffered deep betrayal as you did in Gethsemane or as David speaks of here. I thank you for that and ask that you make me a safe friend for those who have been betrayed. Keep me faithful to others as You are faithful. Make me a refuge for the wounded.

Psalm 56

Fear is a universal human experience: is natural when our safety, security or life is threatened. David doesn't deny or hide it, v. 3: "when I am afraid." It is not sinful or unspiritual to be afraid. The evil at work in this world is fearsome but there is One who is greater. Therefore David also purposes, v. 4: "I shall not be afraid."

 

The Limits of Man's Harm: David's question, v.4: "what can mere man do to me?" does not suggest man can do little harm - history shows the great harm man has and can do - only that there is a limit to the harm man can do. As Jesus pointed out, man can kill only the body but not our soul (Matt. 10:28), as evidenced by the cross and resurrection. Some will scoff at this limit saying it is not enough. I too wish God always saved us physically also and I don't know why sometimes He does so miraculously and sometimes doesn't. However His final salvation is sure and this gift is far greater.

 

God is For Me: Ultimately David rests in the knowledge that "God is for me." This is no small truth. Everything rests on it. There is much in life that is against us and God could be simply neutral, which could be understood as 'fair,' but He is not simply 'fair' but He is for us. Love is not neutral. God demonstrated this in loving us while we were against Him as sinners, yet dying for us (Romans 5:8). See also the wonderful expression of Romans 8:31-39.

Psalm 57

 

God Saves: God is our protector. As a bird protects her young, God covers His own in the face of danger (v.1) and sends help from heaven (v.3) including His loving-kindness and truth (v.4) and ultimately Christ (John 3:16). Some will dispute: "What is the protection of a bird against the Evil One?" Yet, just as a bird sometimes gives it's life for it's young, God-in-Christ gave his life for us on the cross. It appeared to many that evil had overcome Christ but in fact Christ had overcome evil. It's true that each of us will ultimately face the crossing of John Bunyan's "final river" in the pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Light, but even there death in Christ is only apparent and His salvation final.

 

Our Heart Can be Steadfast: As we trust the Lord over time, we can look back and find that so often has the Lord protected or delivered us, that our hearts have much reason to be steadfast (v.7) in any storm as we await His salvation. Years of experience with the Lord's faithfulness mounts confidence and, with David (v. 7), we find that we can actually sing, perhaps to the surprise of those around us (v. 9). May our walk with the Lord remain consistent so we come to that place!

 

God's Glory will Fill the Earth: David's song (v. 10-11) is one both focused in the present and in the future. Today God's loving-kindness is "great to the heavens" and "His truth to the clouds." (v. 10) In the future God will be "exalted above the heavens and His glory be above all the earth." (v. 11) This is the task of our mission as we "show and tell" the wonders of God's "love and rescue mission" to the earth until all are saved from the designs of the Evil One.

 

Psalm 58

 

Justice is a Mark of Good Government: But many administrators of justice, then as now, further their own interests rather than those of the needy. Corruption remains the primary scourge of government. The consistent rule of (compassionate, but just) law is more foundational even than democracy, since democracy can also be subject to corruption.

 

Injustice begins in the heart: David sees the heart, when it is unrighteous before God, as the birthplace of injustice which then results in violence (v.2).

 

Injustice makes us burn within, especially when we receive it from those tasked to provide justice. David expresses this righteous anger vividly in vs. 6-9 of this imprecatory psalm. Some question the legitimacy of imprecatory psalms as beneath godly men. We need to be honest with ourselves also, asking "how will I respond emotionally to unjust men or women?" Will I respond lightly (e.g. v.7 "let the unjust flow away like water"); or more powerfully (e.g. v.6: "O God, break the fangs of the young lions")? David expresses both.

Prayer: "Lord, it is so hard to be still in the face of injustice. And perhaps it is in fact wrong to do so. Perhaps it takes more courage to demand justice from the unjust than to be silent before them. Father, we cry out as the persistent widow (Luke 18)!

Yet we may expect justice from God even when we do not receive it from men. God's judgment will come suddenly (v.9) and the certainty of vindication brings joy to the godly (v.10-11). On that day at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."

          Psalm 59

Opposition in life is inevitable but this is the test: when it happens I, like David (v.3-4), must be careful to examine myself before the Lord to see that the opposition of others is not in response to my sin against them or others. It is desperately easy to feel self-righteous when opposed. We must look deeply within before calling on the Lord to remove the opposition. Who opposes you? Why?

 
In unjust opposition God is our stronghold (v.9) and shield (v.11), our strength and refuge (v.16), the one who shows us lovingkindness. In fact, David knows God's lovingkindness to be so great he feels he must ask God not be gracious to the treacherous (literally, "those who do evil under cover", v. 5).

 

A Request to Limit God's intervention: Even for those who desire, in their opposition, to kill him (v.3), David does not ask death in return, but that the Lord remove them ("scatter," v.11), that "men may know that God rules" (v.13). Even in David's call for justice, there is a request for delay in God's final justice.

 

Thanksgiving: Confident in God's intervention or in response to it, David reminds us of the importance of giving thanks to the Lord for His grace and protection:  "But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress." (v.16)

A prayer: "Father, remove the unjust and violent far from those they torment. Be their, and our, shield and stronghold. Show the world that it is You who are full of lovingkindness and turn the hearts of all to You. In Christ alone, Amen"

Psalm 60

 

Background: This psalm and possibly the next several prayers share the historical context of 2 Samuel 8. While David fought to defend Israel's borders in the north, Edom invaded and defeated Israel in the south. This defeat was inexplicable to David in the light of God's promise in 2 Samuel 7:13: "I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever."

 

Defeat is not always our fault. David was open to the possibility that God was angry due to sin (v.1) and we should also and repent quickly if we have walked in arrogance or other sin. However sometimes defeat comes while we do right. We may in fact experience defeat while pursuing a goal given us by the Lord; a very specific calling or while simply following the teaching of scripture. David was doing so in 2 Sam. 7-8, the context of his defeat. When this happens (not "if"), we must not assume the task was not of the Lord or that the Lord is no longer with us, but rather seek Him more earnestly.

 

God is our only hope for victory so to Him alone do we turn for deliverance. See David's prayer in v.11: "O give us help against the adversary, for deliverance by man is in vain." This is not of course to say we shouldn't work closely with other believers towards worthy Kingdom goals. We should. Rather David's prayer reminds us that our ultimate hope lies not in our strength or allies but in God alone.

A Prayer: "Father, thank you that You are our strength and salvation, that ultimately You "will tread down our adversaries" (v. 12). Help me in all circumstances of apparent defeat or victory to trust You always and only. In Jesus Name, Amen. 

The Larger Context: It is important to remember also that victory or defeat is always in a larger context we cannot yet see but for which we trust the Lord. We should not too quickly assume the victory or defeat is final or complete but 1.) always praise God for victories as they come and 2.) be vigilant that this victory is not snatched from us by the enemy in subsequent complacency.

 

Psalm 61

 

When disheartened, David prays for strength and security (vs.1-2) based on the confidence that comes from God's nature (vs.3-4) and character (vs.5-6), responding in praise and commitment (v.8).

 

God Hears even though I am faint and feel far from Him - "from the end of the earth I call to You" (v.2). We can therefore always call when troubled, "Lead me to the rock that is higher than I." (v.2)

 

God is faithful to preserve me as I seek to serve Him - both in this life (v.6) and in the life to come (v.7). He is the "rock that is higher than I" (v.2), our "refuge" and "tower of strength" (v.3) and "sheltering wings" (4) in times of trouble.

 

God preserves by His lovingkindness and revelation of His truth (v.7). We must never undervalue the latter as truth is not something of our own making and gives correct perspective so as to make wise and practical choices. I will therefore walk in dependence and confidence in Him as I pursue His mission.

My Prayer: "Thank you Lord that You are strong and always hear. Thank you that your lovingkindness and truth preserve us in times of trouble. My trust and confidence is in You."

Psalm 62

 

Unfair advantage: David experienced a common injustice as he was attacked when in a weakened condition (v.3). Satan and those used by him should not surprise us in this. Those who have been utterly alone and silent in their desperation will relate best to David's anguish. May you engage also David's trust in the Lord.

 

God Alone: David's confidence remained in God alone. God is uniquely our Saviour (v.1) because the Living God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob alone is God. Trust nothing but God, especially do not use others to lift yourself up. v.10: "If riches increase, do not set your heart upon them."

 

Unshaken: When friends or enemies fail or seek to hurt us (v.3-4), God is our refuge (v.8) and stronghold (v.6) and we may remain in Him unshaken (v.2,6), continuing as He enables to serve Him and those around us. Let's seek to be conscious, in our next moment of stress, of the calmness of trust in God within, in the very moments external circumstances are shaken. v.8: "Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us."

My Prayer: "Father, in our moments of greatest weakness (v.3) those who are against us and You do their best. Thank you that in You our anchor holds and we will not be greatly shaken (v.2). For You alone our soul waits in silence (v.1)."

Rendering judgement: Those who are deceitful weigh nothing in the balances (v.9) and will be found wanting when God renders all according to their work (v.12). [Scripture speaks of two judgements: the first is one in which our faith in Christ is evaluated; those who trust in Christ enter heaven while those who trust in themselves or other inadequate resource go to a godless eternity known in scripture as hell. The second judgement is one of works where, in heaven or hell, our degree of punishment or reward is determined. The first of these judgements is ultimately most critical and the reason for the Cross of Christ. (I Corinthians 3:10-15)]

Psalm 63

God is the desire of David's being (vs. 1-4), the delight of his soul (vs. 5-8), the defence of his life (vs. 9-11).

Yearning for God: The experiences of life often accent the depth of desire we have for the Lord. In this case the physical thirst of David's experience in the wilderness and it's contrast with the joy of the sanctuary (v.2) deepens his awareness of his spiritual thirst for the Lord (as fasting deepens the intensity of our prayers). May it be our yearning also, greater than all others including life itself (v.3): "I will seek (v.1), thirst, yearn (v.2) for Him. I will have no greater desire."

Satisfaction in God: Because God's lovingkindness is better than life, I can praise Him even when evil surrounds (v.3). Cf. also v.5: "You satisfy me more than the richest feast. I will praise you with songs of joy." Only one who seeks God as earnestly as David in this psalm, is as deeply satisfied with God as is David in this psalm. In my experience there are no shortcuts. Our seeking and satisfaction is never complete until we praise Him!

My Prayer: "Father, until evil is finally fully removed from the new heavens and earth, my rest, peace and satisfaction is totally and only in You. To You I give praise as my only hope and confidence."

Psalm 64

God's response to the schemes of the wicked: There are those in every generation who make deliberate plans (v.2, 5) to oppose and destroy those who follow Yahweh in His redemptive mission (vs.1-6). Yet by His goodness and power Yahweh is our protection, refuge and glory (vs.7-10). 

The mystery and complexity of the human heart: God knows our inward thoughts including those we don't disclose, sometimes even to ourselves, and the depths of the heart of a man which cannot be plumbed by humans, v. 6: "The inward thought and the heart of a man are deep." It is not wise therefore to assume that we know our own hearts but rather that we ask the Lord to reveal the depths of our own hearts and motivations to us.

Trusting God in the Long View: Too often we accept evil as powerful, inevitable and assume nothing can be done. This Psalm assumes rather that God is against those who plot evil and that all men will finally hold the Lord in awe and declare His good works (v.9).

Our response in the meantime: We believe our universe to be moral in nature despite the evil in it because God is immanent and the Lord of history; we believe it ultimately because of the attributes of His character. Therefore, despite the assumptions of those who reject or know not God's righteousness, we will trust in the Lord when opposed or actively persecuted and will not cease to serve the Lord.

My Prayer: "Father, keep me steadfast in the face of opposition, trusting You and faithful to You. Lord, my anger sometimes rages at injustice and evil and I struggle to respond rightly. Yet I see Your active resistance in this Psalm and want to take evil no more lightly than You."

Psalm 65

God is worthy of praise and thanksgiving for His gracious favor (v. 1-4), greatness over all creation (v. 5-8) and abundant provision to His people (v. 9-13). He is also the One who hears prayer (v. 2), forgives sin (v. 3), is worthy of trust (v. 5) and causes the earth's bounty (v. 9-13). We are in a place of blessing, care and grace as we live and serve under His loving provision. 

Silence (v.1) can be a deep and powerful expression and experience of praise (v.1). Praise can range powerfully and meaningfully from full-throated roar to utter stillness in His overwhelming Presence.

My Prayer: Father, how blessed I am to be in You, chosen (v. 4) and provided for by You. Despite Satan's incursions, this is Father's world! I praise You! For your character and steadfast consistency with your goodness and magnificent attributes of your nature I give You thanks!

Psalm 66

God's Care and Provision: God is worthy of praise for He keeps us alive (v.9) and though He tests us (v.10-12), He keeps us from falling (v.9) and brings us into a place of abundance (v.12).

God is Worthy of Universal Praise: God's matchless worth is to be voiced among all the peoples of the earth (v.4 and 8). God's praise remains our mission and motivation (Acts 1:8), even among those who are rebellious (v.7) and those who feign obedience (v.3).

I will speak of God's goodness to those I see daily, not only because doing so may lead some to a desire for right relationship with their Father in heaven, but more profoundly because doing so is an expression of praise and God is worthy to be praised before all the earth (v. 3).

My Prayer: Father, You are worthy to be praised by all peoples throughout eternity. Help me to be among that mighty throng and to call all I know to join with it for Your Glory!

Psalm 67

 

Purpose of Blessing: God's gracious blessing is both for His people (v.1) and to cause the nations to turn to know and praise Him (v.5) for His salvation, justice and mercy (v.2) .

 

v.1: "God be gracious to us and bless us, and cause His face to shine upon us - that Your way may be known on the earth, Your salvation among all nations."

 

Preparation of a People: The whole of the Old Testament is the story of God's work to prepare a people (the Hebrews) to be a missionary people to all nations (v.2); a beacon of salvation that all peoples might praise their creator and redeemer (v.5). Israel didn't fully grasp their calling.

 

That calling is now extended to include the church who understands it better but also not fully or universally. Followers of Christ have been called to extend the mission of Christ and this mission exists, as it did for Israel, that all the peoples may know and praise God their Saviour (v.3). 

My Prayer: Father, we have taken Your blessings for granted and assumed them to be primarily for us, without being equally committed to Your ultimate purpose of turning the peoples around us to You, even those who resist You. Lord, forgive us and revision us to Your purposes for Your goodness - the salvation of the earth.

Psalm 68

 

The Goodness of God: God bears our burdens (v.19), is our salvation and deliverance from death (v.20). God is the fountain (source) of Israel (v.26), our strength (v.28,35) and scatters those who delight in war (v.30).

 

Celebrating the Wonders of God: The Hebrew names of God in this celebration are varied and wonderful: Elohim (v. 1), Jah (an abbreviation of Yahweh (v.4), El Shaddai (v.14), Yahweh (v.16), Yah Elohim (v. 18), Adonai (v. 19) and Yahweh Adonai (v20). Each of the names and their combinations warrant study and worship.

 

God's victory will be complete. Our mission is to follow Him closely and advance His good purposes. In the midst of a violent world, God's people can yet be glad in His goodness and sing for joy (v.3) at His greatness (v.8,19-20) and invite the kingdoms of the earth to do the same (v.32), for God is strong (v.28,34-35) and is against those who delight in war (v.1-2,30). God's mission is to bring blessing and peace to the nations who acknowledge Him.

 

The psalm of victory (composed perhaps on the occasion of 2 Sam. 6:12 when the ark of God's covenant was moved into the Temple) calls the wicked to flee before God (v.1-6), celebrates Israel's victorious march out of Egypt (v.7-18) and God's power from His throne in Jerusalem (v.19-31) calling all the world to worship Him (v.32-35).

 

v.32: "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, Sing praises to the Lord!"

My Prayer: Father, thank you for your gracious reign through David who pointed to the gracious reign of our Lord Jesus. May the wicked be scattered (v.1), wars cease (v.30) and all the earth know and love You.

Psalm 69

 

David and Jesus: Though David experienced unjustified persecution from Saul, Jesus did in a far greater way and for this reason perhaps Ps. 69 is one of the most quoted Psalms in the New Testament. Cf. v.8 with John 7:3-5; v.9 with John 2:17 & Rom. 15:3; v. 21 with Matt. 27:34; v. 25 with Matt. 23:38. Ultimately Jesus was rescued not from the cross but through the resurrection.

 

God is Our Rescuer: We look to the Lord for refuge and rescue when our enemies persecute us unjustly. We therefore cry out urgently boldly and persistently (v.1-3) to the Lord when hemmed in and in trouble (v.1-4). How great is the One who overcomes the evil of the evil ones! v.33: "The LORD hears the needy and does not despise His who are prisoners."

 

Integrity Under Persecution: Even when fighting for my life I will live to bring honour to the Lord. I do not want my sin and weakness to cause those who trust the Lord to be discouraged or dishonoured by my behaviour or attitude (v.6). The Lord knows my sin and foolishness and I seek Him to protect those who love Him from being harmed by my shortcomings.

My Prayer: Father, "may those who wait for You not be ashamed through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; may those who seek You not be dishonoured through me, O God of Israel." (v.6)

Psalm 70

 

God's people come under urgent pressure from those who respect neither them or God. This should not be surprising in that when God is rejected, His people, and the value He places on them, naturally follow in consequence.

 

Yet God is our help and deliverer (v. 1, 5). We can ask God to "turn back" (v. 2-3) those who seek our hurt, to hasten and not delay (v.5).

 

When pressured and afflicted, we are encouraged to take two positions:

1. To be among those who seek the Lord and love His salvation (v. 4); though persecuted without cause I will rejoice and be glad in Him, magnifying His name. 

2. Pray: v.5: "Hasten to me, O God! You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay."

It is not a lack of faith to cry out urgently to God, but an expression of it. Can you imagine having no one to call out to for help and salvation?

 

Psalm 71

 

God is faithful showing mercy without limit (v.15) to His children from youth (v.6,17) to old age (v.18) and protection to those who call upon Him (v. 12) from ruthless men (v.4) who would harm us.

 

We never cease being dependant on the Lord for life itself and its sustenance (v.6), protection from evil men (v.4) and for hope and confidence (v.5) in our journey and mission.

 

My practical response: I will call on the Lord for deliverance in all circumstances (v.1-4), hope continually (v.14), praise Him for his righteousness and glory (v.8,16) and tell of His salvation to the next generation (v.18).

 

v.17-18: An important ministry of older believers is to declare God's salvation, goodness and power as a testimony to the younger generation. Older believers have life experience, stories to tell and earned respect.

 

v.15 "I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words (NLT) / though I do not know the sum of them." (ASV)  The Hebrew text can be rendered either way and both translations speak important truth - we are called to testify to the Lord even if not naturally good with words and 2.) mindful that God's inexhaustible mercies cannot be known or counted. 

My Prayer: Father, I will praise You always for your grace and goodness. You are our only hope in this dark world of ruthless men in rebellion against You. Help me to trust and praise You in all circumstances and hope in You continually (v.14)

Psalm 72

 

The Kingdom of God: God desires to bring blessing to the peoples of the earth through righteous kings reflecting God's character and accountable to Him. Solomon prays Israel's kings will be supremely good and prosperous, extending God's blessing on the whole earth. The surpassing righteousness and dominion sought in this prayer anticipates the coming of Jesus, the Son of David.

 

The mission of earthly rulers is to follow God and bless His people in the ways Solomon prays, including righteousness (v.1-4), peace (v.5-7, power (v.8-11), compassion (v.12-15), and prosperity (v.16-17). The church must call earthly rulers to their responsibility and model in it's community these blessings of God's reign.

 

My Role in God's Purpose: I will seek the Lord for His righteousness, peace, power, compassion and prosperity in my life as a reflection of His character. I will contribute to modelling these blessings in the Christian community. I will ask earthly rulers to pursue these blessings of God in their stewardship of caring for God's people.

 

Canada's Motto: Psalm 72:8 is the motto of Canada (official since 1921, suggested in 1866 by Sir Samuel Tilley of New Brunswick, a father of Confederation): "He shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth." (KJV)  May not only Canada but all the nations of the earth pursue God and know His righteousness, peace, power, compassion and prosperity!

My Prayer: Father, how great are the blessings of those who will welcome your reign and how great is our need of your Kingdom of righteousness, peace, power, compassion and prosperity! Turn the hearts of the nations to You, the hearts of the rulers of the nations, the hearts of the peoples of the nations - please Lord, by your great mercy!