Psalm 72 is King Solomon's guide for his people on how to pray for their king. Yes, he invites them to pray that he might be honored. However, even before he asks the people to pray for his honor to increase, he asks the people to pray that he might be increasingly honorable. He asks them to pray that he might be a righteous and just king; that he might be a servant to the people, rather than being served by the people.
Lord, as Solomon taught his people to pray for him, so we pray for our leaders. We pray especially for our president. We pray that our president would increasingly be characterized by righteousness: that he might speak and act in accord with what is right; according to your righteous laws of love, mercy, and grace. We pray that he would be a defender of the poor, a helper of children in need, and an opponent of oppression (v.4). We pray that his mercy would lead to lives being saved (v.13), and to violence being ended (v.14), and that his work would bear the fruit of abounding peace (v.7).
As we pray for our president, we might recognize how he falls short of God's standards. The Israelites also saw how Solomon fell short of God's standards (as Solomon lived a life of pleasure at the expense of his people, heavily taxing them and conscripting them for forced labor). We do pray that our leaders will be increasingly righteous and just, because to the measure they are, we will live more peaceful and enjoyable lives. And yet, O Lord, we give you praise this day, that our ultimate hope does not rest in our country's president and his righteousness. Rather, our hope rests fully in the Lord Jesus Christ and his righteousness. By his righteousness, we are saved!
While the Israelites prayed for Solomon (and we pray for our president), ultimately, Psalm 72 is fulfilled in Jesus. He is the perfect, honorable, righteous king, who brings justice, peace, and salvation. Jesus is the king who is like "rain that falls on the mown grass" (v.6). In our area's current drought, we know rain is a gift of refreshment, of provision, of life, and of joy. We thank you, Jesus, for being that refreshing rain; for being our gift of life; for being our salvation. In your mighty and merciful name we pray, amen.
