Psalm 72 - When I Have Opinions About Our Leadership

Summer in the Psalms

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The Bible is unique in that it's the only book which reads us while we read it - when we come in humility. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we feel the poke and pull of the Good Shepherd's staff guiding and correcting us.

My good friend, Sarah Philpott, shares her reflection of Psalm 72 with us today and the gentle redirection meant for all us - who are we worshipping? In whom or what have we put our hope?

Sarah Philpott, PhD lives on a cattle farm in the south. She is the mother of four young children and wife to one hard workin’ farmer (who has been her sweetheart since high school). Sarah is the award-winning author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss. She's also the author of the brand new board book: Wake, Up Little Seed; Moo, Moo Nap, Nap; and The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions.

These days Sarah happily chooses to be a stay-at-home mom and teaches high school American History part time. She spends her days cleaning peanut butter and jelly off the counter, dreaming of traveling the world, and chasing her kids around the farm. She doesn’t believe in sharing desserts. Life is way too short to share any type of chocolate! Sarah is a lover of big earrings, black coffee, front-porch rocking chairs, star-gazing, river days, and all things Hemingway.

I wish I had more of a high-minded association with the phrase “Coronation Day,” but as a testament to my being a mom of four, the phrase evokes images of Anna twirling down the hall in anticipation of Elsa ascending to the head of the Arendelle monarchy. Although completely fiction, the Disney movie “Frozen” does lay out the excitement, anticipation, and hope of a new leader taking the throne (complete with a sing-along that can be stuck in your mind for perpetuity!) 

In America, “Coronation Day” is known as “Inauguration Day”- the day the new president, chosen by citizens and not through birthright, takes the oath of office to lead our republic. 

Both of these events (even though one is a Disney version of the lineage of monarchial dynasties) have something in common with the Biblical time period of King David. When a new leader takes rule, the people within the country all have hopes, dreams, and prayers for how the leader will rule. Will the leader be just? Fair? Will the nation and individuals be prosperous? Will this usher in a period of peace? 

Yes, “Coronation Day,” "Inauguration Day,” and Biblical transfer of power ceremonies - such as when King David transferred power to his son, Solomon, all have in common themes of anticipation and prayers that the ruler will usher in a period of joy for all. Isn’t that what we all hope? 

Psalm 72 expresses this desire. This majestic psalm is known as a type of “Coronation” psalm that is often said when a new ruler replaces the former. It’s commonly thought that King David composed it in honor of his son. In short, it’s a prayer of hope and ideology to God in reference to the new ruler taking earthly leadership. It begins:  

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! - Psalm 72:1-4

As we read through Psalm 72 we read hope-filled attributes and hope-filled actions the new ruler might choose; we also quickly realize that the ideals have not been met by any earthly ruler- only in the rule of Jesus Christ. You see, this Psalm was also a foreshadowing of the eternal reign of Christ. 

Psalm 72 reminds me of the importance of praying for our earthly rulers- not in a posture of judgement but in a posture of hope of what God can do through individuals. I am often guilty of spending more time either judging or defending our leaders rather than praying for them. This Psalm reminds me I should lift up my voice and sing for our new ruler in prayer. 

But my largest takeaway from this Psalm is in the final stanza. It reads: 

Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. - Psalm 72:18-19

You see, we PRAISE our God and PRAY for our rulers. We should never be guilty of worshiping our leaders- rather it is only God who should receive that Glory. 

Now let’s all go take the opportunity to PRAY for our rulers and PRAISE our one true God. 

Now, It's Your Turn!

I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 72 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Sarah's:

We praise our God and pray for our rulers. We should never be guilty of worshiping our leaders- rather it is only God who should receive that Glory. 

Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Sarah's:

Have I spent more time either judging or defending our leaders rather than praying for them? This Psalm reminds me I should lift up my voice and sing for our new ruler in prayer. 

May this reflection lead our hearts to gratitude and praise today and may we stand in victory against the tactics and schemes of the enemy.

And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.