Psalm 72:12-17

The prayer for the king in Psalm 72 concludes in verses 12-17 [remember that verses 18-19 contain the doxology at the end of Book II=Psalms 42-72 of the Psalter, and that verse 20 is the conclusion of an earlier collection of "Prayers of David" which have been subsequently incorporated into the present Book of Psalms]:

"May he [the king ruling on Zion] deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
May he take pity on the weak andt he needy
and save the needy from death.
May he rescue them from oppression and violence,
may their blood be precious in his sight.
Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May its fruit flourish like Lebanon;
may it thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
May all nations be blessed through him,
and may they call him blessed."

1. A vital, primary responsibility of the king is to protect those whom the rich and powerful oppress and exploit. All human beings are equal--made in the image of God (Genesis 1:26-27). No human being has the right to exalt herself/himself over others, to oppress others, to treat others with hatred or disrespect, to look down on others, to show disdain toward others. Godly leaders will treat all alike, and will strive to maintain justice and righteousness among all--see Isaiah 1:10-17; 58:1-12; Amos 5:4-17; James 1:26-27; 2:1-13.
2. We all need the prayers of others, whatever our responsibilities in life. The Bible often summons God's people to pray for political and religious officials--see for example, Jeremiah 29:4-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
3. God's people are on earth for the single purpose of bringing God's blessings to others. God told all three Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob): "By you and your descendants (the Israelites) shall all the families of the earth BE BLESSED" (Genesis 22:15-18; 26:2-5; 28:13-14). The Bible repeatedly emphasizes this responsibility to God's people--see for example, Exodus 19:3-6; Isaiah 19:23-25; Jeremiah 4:1-2; Matthew 5:13-16; Philippians 2:14-16; 1 Peter 2:9-10.
Only by being united as one spiritual family can the people of God be a blessing to the world. May God help us practice this unity in him.

John Willis