Reading: Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor.
May he live while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.

Reflection

I think I could pray this Psalm every day and say, there, that does it. Justice. Righteousness. Defend the cause of the poor; give deliverance to the needy. And, yes indeed, crush the oppressor! Oh, let it be. Amen and Amen.

The sun and the moon endure. The rain falls and showers water the earth. This we can see. What we also hope to see is righteousness flourish and peace abound. Those are the wondrous things God can do.

But day by day what are we to do? I’m reminded me of a Sunday School song:

Give the world a little love;
Warm it with some sunshine.
Pass along a smile
To all you see today.
Take time to listen;
Take time to care.
Take time to give of yourself;
Take time to share.
And shout out,
“Hey, Lord, I’m glad I’m alive.
Thank you for another day.
Send help I’ll need it all day long.”

There is hope. Amen and Amen.

–Ruth Gates

Prayer (even if you don’t know the tune)

Hey, Lord, I’m glad I’m alive. Thank you for another day. Send help I’ll need it all day long. Amen.