A Prayer for the King
Of Solomon.
A prayer asking our Father for the king's son, measuring a reign by one thing: what happens to the weak. May he crush the oppressor, rescue the needy who have no helper, and count their blood precious — and come down like rain on mown grass.
72 1Give the king your justice, our Father, and your righteousness to the king's son. 2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your afflicted ones with justice. 3May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. 4May he defend the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. 5May the people fear you while the sun endures and the moon remains, through all generations. 6May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. 7In his days may the righteous flourish and peace abound, till the moon is no more. 8May he reign from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth. a a v8 "The River" is the Euphrates, the great river marking the eastern boundary of Israel's promised land. 9May the desert dwellers bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands pay tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. 11May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him. 12For he delivers the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 13He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and their blood is precious to him. 15Long may he live; may the gold of Sheba be given to him! May people pray for him continually and bless him all day long. 16May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it wave on the tops of the mountains; may its fruit be like Lebanon, and may people blossom from the cities like the grass of the field. b b v16 "Like Lebanon" evokes the famous towering forests and rich produce of Lebanon — a picture of extraordinary abundance. 17May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all peoples be blessed in him; may all nations call him blessed. 18Blessed be the Father of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds. 19Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen.
20The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
