Solomon was known to be a man of wisdom.  But he wasn’t born with wisdom.  After succeeding his father, David, as King, this inexperienced, young man’s first request from God was wisdom.  When He could have asked for anything, he pleaded for wisdom.  God gave it.  This God-given wisdom is proven in a righteous act of wisdom in 1 Kings 3:16-28!  It’s worth a read!

We don’t know if Solomon wrote this psalm or David wrote it for him for the people to use as a prayer over the new King.  But what we do know and need to understand that the words and meaning go beyond both David and Solomon to the one “greater than Solomon” (Matt. 12:42), Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel. The psalm is quoted nowhere in the New Testament as referring to Jesus, but certainly it describes the elements that will make up the promised kingdom when Jesus returns.

Take a look at all the Kingly responsibilities listed in this prayer-song.  The Lord was King over His people, and the man on the throne in Jerusalem was His representative, obligated to lead the people according to the law of God (Deut. 17:14-20). He had to be impartial in his dealings (Ex. 23:3, 6; Deut. 1:17; Isa. 16:5) and make sure that his throne was founded on righteousness and justice (89:14; 92:2).

It’s no wonder that young Solomon asked for wisdom from God!  Note all the acts of righteousness mentioned four times in verses 1-7; and see Proverbs 16:12. Messiah will one day reign in righteousness and execute justice throughout the world (Isa. 9:7; 11:4-5; Jer. 23:5-6; Zech. 9:9). In the whole land of Israel, from the mountains to the hills, Solomon’s reign would bring peace and prosperity, for both of these blessings depend on righteousness (Isa. 32:17).

It is because Jesus fulfilled God’s righteousness in His life and death that sinners can be forgiven and have peace with God (Rom. 5:1-8), and He is our “King of righteousness” and “King of peace” (Heb. 7:1-3). Solomon’s name is related to the Hebrew word shalom, which means “peace, prosperity, well-being.” The king’s ministry to the poor and afflicted reminds us of the ministry of Jesus. Early in his reign, Solomon had that kind of concern, but in his later life, his values changed, and he burdened the people with heavy taxes, probably to take care of his many wives in latter years.  Sigh.

God promised David an endless dynasty (2 Sam. 7:16, 19, 26), and this was fulfilled in Jesus, the son of David (Luke 1:31-33).  We have already noted that Jesus is in all of scripture for Jesus is our Savior, Messiah and Lord.  The Old Testament points to Jesus, God’s Son and God’s Plan from the beginning to save His people from their sins.  God’s promised-kept is when we seek Him, we will find Him.  He will lead us when we ask and help us as we daily journey with Him.  Need wisdom?  Ask God.  God freely gives exactly what we need. (James 1:5)

Believe Jesus and be saved by His grace and mercy.  Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be at peace through good times and bad. Our wonder-working God is always awake and ready to listen to our prayers of conversation with Him.  Talk to God, He listens!  If fact, He delights in all the details of our lives!  What?!  Yes! and Amen!

“The Lord directs the steps of the godly.  He delights in every detail of their lives.”  Psalm 37:23

Worship and Wisdom, Psalms and Proverbs

Psalm 72, The Message

A Solomon Psalm

72 ^1-8 Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God,
    the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly,
    be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness;
    shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor,
    help the children of the needy,
    come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—
    age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass,
    earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom
    and peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea,
    from the River to the Rim.

^9-14 Foes will fall on their knees before God,
    his enemies lick the dust.
Kings remote and legendary will pay homage,
    kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
All kings will fall down and worship,
    and godless nations sign up to serve him,
Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
    the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
    he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture—
    when they bleed, he bleeds;
    when they die, he dies.

^15-17 And live! Oh, let him live!
    Deck him out in Sheba gold.
Offer prayers unceasing to him,
    bless him from morning to night.
Fields of golden grain in the land,
    cresting the mountains in wild exuberance,
Cornucopias of praise, praises
    springing from the city like grass from the earth.
May he never be forgotten,
    his fame shine on like sunshine.
May all godless people enter his circle of blessing
    and bless the One who blessed them.

^18-20 Blessed God, Israel’s God,
    the one and only wonder-working God!
Blessed always his blazing glory!
    All earth brims with his glory.
Yes and Yes and Yes.

TRUTH: “May all godless people enter his circle of blessing and bless the One who blessed them.  Blessed God, Israel’s God, the one and only wonder-working God!”

Proverb 22:28, The Message

WISDOM: “Don’t stealthily move back the boundary lines staked out long ago by your ancestors.”

Abba Father,

We need wisdom in all the details of our lives, too.  So, we ask for wisdom, insight and understand for our journey today.  I will take one day at a time and ask for wisdom with each step.  I know you will lead us.  I need to follow.  I know you love us more than we love ourselves.  I will love you back with all my heart, mind and soul.  I will love others like you love me—unconditionally.  I choose you for you are life to me.  It is a commitment I made with you long ago and have never regretted the decision.  Bad days are less bad with you in them.  Good times are greater still with praising you for them.  You hang in there with us through the good, bad and ugly and for that I am eternally grateful.  Bless the Lord, oh my soul and all that is within me, praise your Holy Name.  You are done great things.  You are the wonderworking God of all who believe and follow You!  Continue your work in me.  Yes and Amen!

In Jesus Name, Amen