Epiphany
Worship
Aids To The Psalms
Give the king our 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 son 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.
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
The poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Alternate Image
The Singer of Songs climbs the steps to the King's Palace. He marches straight to the throne room, sets his eyes on Solomon and begins his song. Gazing towards the heavens the Singer implores God to send the King God's own many justices so that this king may be a just king. The Singer reaches out his hand and pulls a poor woman with bent frame into the throne room; his song requests the king to have special concern and develop social programs for those rarely seen in royal places. He solicits the king's special favor for the forgotten and oppressed of the land. Then the singer bursts forth with a brilliant melody that creates a vision of lands and sea that the king may reign over. The troubadour beseeches God to grant this king power that other kings may follow his vision of benevolent leadership and pay tribute and honor to the King of Israel. Solomon follows the course of the song closely; his eyes reflect the wisdom of understanding the responsibilities of a sovereign for his people. The king nods his head, affirming that his position is less that of honor than of service to all his people. The king offers his silent prayer for God's guidance and aid that he may rule acceptably.
Reflection
How little we often expect of our governmental leaders. We complain about their decisions, we accord them low status and expect that they will perform little better than a thief. And then we wonder why they live down to our expectations. Do we ask our political leaders to lead us or merely to meet our short term selfish desires. We complain about the lack of programs for the poor, yet rebel against higher taxes that would provide the means for these programs. We castigate the insensitivity of our congress and blind ourselves to the needs of our immediate neighbors. Like the singer, we would better serve our leaders and the people of our land if we would pray for them, lift up our hopes to them, expect high principles from them and give them credit for the work they do.
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 son 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.
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May his foes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.
For he delivers the needy when they call,
The poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Alternate Image
The Singer of Songs climbs the steps to the King's Palace. He marches straight to the throne room, sets his eyes on Solomon and begins his song. Gazing towards the heavens the Singer implores God to send the King God's own many justices so that this king may be a just king. The Singer reaches out his hand and pulls a poor woman with bent frame into the throne room; his song requests the king to have special concern and develop social programs for those rarely seen in royal places. He solicits the king's special favor for the forgotten and oppressed of the land. Then the singer bursts forth with a brilliant melody that creates a vision of lands and sea that the king may reign over. The troubadour beseeches God to grant this king power that other kings may follow his vision of benevolent leadership and pay tribute and honor to the King of Israel. Solomon follows the course of the song closely; his eyes reflect the wisdom of understanding the responsibilities of a sovereign for his people. The king nods his head, affirming that his position is less that of honor than of service to all his people. The king offers his silent prayer for God's guidance and aid that he may rule acceptably.
Reflection
How little we often expect of our governmental leaders. We complain about their decisions, we accord them low status and expect that they will perform little better than a thief. And then we wonder why they live down to our expectations. Do we ask our political leaders to lead us or merely to meet our short term selfish desires. We complain about the lack of programs for the poor, yet rebel against higher taxes that would provide the means for these programs. We castigate the insensitivity of our congress and blind ourselves to the needs of our immediate neighbors. Like the singer, we would better serve our leaders and the people of our land if we would pray for them, lift up our hopes to them, expect high principles from them and give them credit for the work they do.
