The Bible tells us that we should pray for our government (1 Timothy 2:1-2). What do you look for in a good government? We want a government that brings peace and prosperity. We want a government that is just and cares for the weakest and most vulnerable in our society. If God were to give us such a government, we would want them to stay in power for a long time.

Psalm 72, the final poem of Book 2* of Psalms, describes an ideal ruler. As the only psalm attributed to Solomon, it fittingly reflects its writer's wisdom. In the opening two verses, Solomon asks God to endow the king with justice and righteousness so that he will always make good and right decisions, particularly for ″the afflicted ones″ (v. 2).

These verses lay the foundation for the rest of the psalm, which goes on to describe four features of God's ideal king.

First, he will bring prosperity to his people (vv. 3, 7, 16). The word translated ″prosperity″ is the Hebrew word, shalom. It can also mean ″peace″ or ″harmony″. Under this king's rule, the people will enjoy material, social, political, and spiritual blessings.

Second, this king will be especially caring towards the poor and needy. He will deliver them from their many troubles (vv. 2, 4, 12-14). Those who are weak are easily abused and exploited. God's good king will protect them and ensure they receive justice.

Third, this king will bring blessing to all the world (vv. 8-11, 16-17). Under his rule, Israel's power and influence will grow, and the kings of the world will bring him gifts (v. 15). This was fulfilled when the wise men from the east visited Jesus to bring him gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh (Matthew 2:1-11). God's great promise to Abraham was that, as God blessed Abraham's family then, ″all peoples on earth will be blessed through you″ (Genesis 12:1-3). This faithful king would be the fulfilment of that promise.

Finally, such a king will reign forever (Psalm 72:5, 15).

For a short while, it may have seemed that God answered the prayer of this psalm in King Solomon. But it soon became clear that he fell far short of this ideal. While he began well, as he grew older, he became an oppressor of his people (1 Kings 12:4) and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord (11:4). Faithful Jews continued to look forward to the coming of the godly king of Psalm 72. All the promises of this psalm finally found their fulfilment in the coming of the Lord Jesus. Jesus is the just and righteous king through whom all nations are blessed (Galatians 3:7-8; Revelation 7:9-10).

We are the servants of King Jesus. He calls us the salt of the earth. It is through us that God spreads shalom, cares for the poor, and brings salvation to all people.