The Psalm
72
1Give the King your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the King’s son;
2That he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice.
3That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.
4He shall defend the needy among the people; *
he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.
6He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.
7In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall
be no more.
8He shall rule from sea to sea, *
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9His foes shall bow down before him, *
and his enemies lick the dust.
10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11All kings shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.
12For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, *
and the oppressed who has no helper.
13He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; *
he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15Long may he live!
and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; *
may prayer be made for him always,
and may they bless him all the day long.
16May there be abundance of grain on the earth,
growing thick even on the hilltops; *
may its fruit flourish like Lebanon,
and its grain like grass upon the earth.
17May his Name remain for ever
and be established as long as the sun endures; *
may all the nations bless themselves in him and
call him blessed.
18Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, *
who alone does wondrous deeds!
19And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! *
and may all the earth be filled with his glory.
Amen. Amen.
A Collect for Peace
Eternal God, in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, no strength known but the strength of love: So mightily spread abroad your Spirit, that all peoples may be gathered under the banner of the Prince of Peace, as children of one Father; to whom be dominion and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Roundel | Austrian | The Metropolitan Museum of Art (metmuseum.org)
