A Prayer for the King
Of Solomon.
72 1 Give the king your justice, our Father, and your righteousness to the king's son. 2 May he judge your people with righteousness, and your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor. 5 May they fear you while the sun endures and the moon remains, through 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 peace abound, till the moon is no more. 8 May 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. 9 May the desert dwellers bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands pay tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts. 11 May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him. 12 For he delivers the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. 13 He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. 14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and their blood is precious to him. 15 Long may he live; may the gold of Sheba be given to him! May people pray for him continually and bless him all day long. 16 May 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. 17 May 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. 18 Blessed be the Father of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds. 19 Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.