March 21, 2018 (Wednesday)
These blogs on Wednesdays are studies of the Psalms, but the other blogs for this week are following Jesus and His disciples on their last journey to Jerusalem. Yesterday’s blog pointed out some of the things Jesus said and did as they kept walking toward Jerusalem. On an earlier trip to Jerusalem, Luke tells us that “Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem.” I think we are safe in assuming that Jesus maintained the same serious demeanor as He and His disciples moved down the road toward Jerusalem, because Jesus knew what was going to happen there. He would be arrested, tried, crucified and buried, but on the third day He would rise from the dead. Jesus attempted in vain to prepare the disciples for these things, but they could not understand what he was talking about. Praise the Lord, they would understand it all after all these events transpired. In time, the Holy Spirit would fill them and empower them to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ: the good news of a Savior for all. See bottom of this column for review of yeterday’s blog and the journey thus far.
This Psalm depicts the blessings which will flow from the righteousness of the king. In other Psalms we have heard the cry of the oppressed: here we see a perfect ruler who shall be the champion of the oppressed, whose glory will be justice for all. (Tomorrow we will continue to follow Jesus and His disciples on their way toward Jerusalem and Holy Week).
New International Version (NIV)
Of Solomon.
I. MAY THE NEEDS OF THE KING BE SUPPLIED (1-7)
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
2 May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
5 May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
7 In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
II. MAY HIS KINGDOM GROW (8-14)
8 May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May the desert tribes bow before him
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
present him gifts.
11 May all kings bow down to him
and all nations serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
the afflicted who have no one to help.
13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
and save the needy from death.
14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
for precious is their blood in his sight.
III. OFFER PRAYERS FOR THE KING (15-17)
15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him
and bless him all day long.
16 May grain abound throughout the land;
on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
and thrive like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may it continue as long as the sun.
Then all nations will be blessed through him,
and they will call him blessed.
IV. OFFER PRAISE TO GOD (18-20)
18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 Praise be to his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.
The last trip to Jerusalem began on the border between Samaria and Galilee, and it was there that Jesus healed ten lepers. As the disciples walked with Jesus, He taught them about prayer and humility. He also talked with them about divorce. In one place, the children came running to Him, and he lifted them in his arms, saying, “Let the children come to me.” A rich young ruler wanted to become a follower of Jesus, but when Jesus told him to give his money to the poor and his heart to God, he went away sad.
Jesus spoke very plainly with them about his coming death, burial and resurrection, emphasizing that it would happen the following week in Jerusalem. But they did not understand what He was talking about.
One day James and John asked for a prominent place in the kingdom, and Jesus rebuked them for their selfish ambition, emphasizing again the importance of humble service. Jesus did His best to prepare His disciples for what was about to happen. But they found his words mysterious and unbelievable. During the next week at Jerusalem, when Jesus confronted evil head on, and was crucified, they were shocked and confused, as well as grief-stricken. Later, on the Day of Pentecost, they would be filled with spiritual power and would carry the gospel to others for the remainder of their lives.