1 Give your love of justice to the king, O God,
and righteousness to the king’s son.
2 Help him judge your people in the right way;
let the poor always be treated fairly.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for all,
and may the hills be fruitful.
4 Help him to defend the poor,
to rescue the children of the needy,
and to crush their oppressors.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun shines,
as long as the moon remains in the sky.
Yes, forever!
6 May the king’s rule be refreshing like spring rain on freshly cut grass,
like the showers that water the earth.
7 May all the godly flourish during his reign.
May there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. NLT
Background info: This psalm is attributed to Solomon, David’s son and third king of Israel. Only one other psalm, 127, is called a “Solomonic” psalm. Solomon could have written this psalm or it could have been written for him. Some have suggested that it could have been written before Solomon was king, meaning that the “king” in this psalm is referring to David.
After reading through these verses, what kind of leader, would you say, the writer of this psalm (whether Solomon himself or someone else) hoped Solomon would be?
In verse 1, why would the writer ask for justice for the king, and righteousness for the king’s son? Why would this be an important arrangement?
What is the outcome of the blessing in verse 3?
Go through each line of verse 4. Compared to many kingdoms throughout history, describe the elevated status that outcast people receive in this kingdom? How does this show us what God values?
How does verse 7 relate to the prayer for the king’s blessing in verses 5-6?
::::: DIGGING DEEPER:::::
Knowing what you do about David and Solomon, how does this psalm echo or challenge what happened in their lives?
::::: APPLICATION CHALLENGE :::::
Like this psalm, a prayer of blessing for someone carries with it a desire that even more people would be bless as a result. Who could you pray a blessing for today… and what impact could their blessing have on others? Take a moment to invest in this sort of prayer.
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