What would you include in the job description for a ruler? Well, King Solomon has a lot to say about that in this psalm, and as an absolute monarch, he should know, right? And it’s hard to disagree with any of the responsibilities Solomon assigns to kings: they should render justice in a righteous way (verse 2). They should protect the weak from those who try to oppress them (verses 4, 12, 14). They should provide for the needy (verse 13). And we cannot doubt that such righteous, compassionate rulers would indeed be a blessing to their people, nourishing and strengthening them in the same way that the rain causes the grass to grow (verse 6). Who wouldn’t want leaders like Solomon describes?

But we Americans need to be careful. Because we elect the legislators, the judges, and the executives who do all the jobs that ancient kings used to do, we share a big part of the responsibility for making sure that our governments are living up to Solomon’s expectations. So, we need to ask ourselves: when we go into the voting booth, are we looking for judges who will fairly and impartially apply the laws – or for activists who will implement the policies we prefer? Do we want legislators and administrators who will really do what it takes to help the weak and the needy – or do we just want programs that will benefit us?

But there are other, more direct ways that we as citizens are called to participate in government. For we don’t just elect judges to do justice: we also sit on juries and we are responsible to bear true witness in court. And we don’t just hire policemen and soldiers to keep us safe: we must tell what we know about crimes that are committed, and we must volunteer for the armed services during times of war. In fact, at the time the Constitution was ratified, most American men were directly involved in protecting their country by serving in state militias. Do we imagine that if we shirk our responsibilities as citizens that we will have the justice and peace and safety that ancient subjects expect from their kings?

And yes, Solomon wanted all kings and nations to bow down before God’s ideal king and serve him (verse 11). But at the same time we know that no human king or system of government is infallible, for no matter how hard they try, sinners will always make mistakes. Even the best intentioned of leaders will eventually let us down. So does it make sense to keep looking to them to solve all our problems?

But the good news is that we Americans have an absolute monarch: King Jesus, the One Who holds all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Moreover, He’s the only One Who has ever perfectly fit Solomon’s description of the ideal king. By His sinless life and sacrificial death for all who trust in Him, Jesus has indeed earned praise, honor, and glory, along with a name that is above every name (verse 17; Philippians 2:9-11).

So, how will we American Christians integrate our two roles – as free citizens of our Federal Republic and as loyal subjects of King Jesus? How can trust Him more completely, submitting even our rights and liberties to His authority today? How can we, by carrying out the responsibilities that accompany our freedoms, bless Him and bless each other by Him?

Psalm 72 (NASB)

A Psalm of Solomon.
Give the king Thy judgments, O God, And Thy righteousness to the king’s son.
2 May he judge Thy people with righteousness, And Thine afflicted with justice.
3 Let the mountains bring peace to the people, And the hills in righteousness.
4 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy, And crush the oppressor.
5 Let them fear Thee while the sun endures, And as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, Like showers that water the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more.
8 May he also rule from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Let the nomads of the desert bow before him; And his enemies lick the dust.
10 Let the kings of Tarshish and of the islands bring presents; The kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 And let all kings bow down before him, All nations serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he cries for help, The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And the lives of the needy he will save.
14 He will rescue their life from oppression and violence; And their blood will be precious in his sight;
15 So may he live; and may the gold of Sheba be given to him; And let them pray for him continually; Let them bless him all day long.
16 May there be abundance of grain in the earth on top of the mountains; Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon; And may those from the city flourish like vegetation of the earth.
17 May his name endure forever; May his name increase as long as the sun shines; And let men bless themselves by him; Let all nations call him blessed.
18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders.
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever; And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.