Recently, the presumptive Republican
presidential nominee, Mitt Romney, announced his running mate, Paul Ryan.  It is no accident Ryan is a good choice
visually.  Why do I say “visually”?  Much like when George H.W. Bush chose Dan
Quayle, Romney is bringing in a man who could be a son, which establishes him
as a “father type” and visually makes Romney look more like a leader who is
guiding the next generation.  It’s been
done before and politicians do it on purpose.

 

It’s rather fitting that
the successor to Israel’s favorite king (King David) wrote this Psalm and it’s positioned
at the end of the “prayers of David son of Jesse”  (Psalm
72:20).  Almost as a fitting tribute to
his father, King Solomon writes this coronation Psalm both in honor of his
coronation but also as a tribute to the dynasty of his father who was
established by God Himself.  With Solomon
doing this, he honors his earthly father and his Heavenly Father.   

 

Last time, we looked at the
first seven verses.  Today, press into
verses eight through eleven.

 

8 May
he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9 May
the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.

10 May
the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.

May the kings of Sheba and
Seba present him gifts.

11 May
all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.

Psalm 72:8–11 (NIV)

 

At first glance, it might
seem like these verses in the middle of Psalm 72 couldn’t be further removed
from where we live but remember: this Psalm is speaking of the ideal King of
Israel.  No human had met this ideal
except King Jesus, the greater son of David. 
Not only would the dynasty of David extend through all time (Psalm 72:5),
it would extend throughout all space.  We
are reminded of the supernatural attributes ascribed to this King.

 

When giving these geographic
boundaries, they are not to specify a definitive limit to His Kingdom but to
express the complete boundless nature of His territory.  Indeed, the rule of our Great King extends to
all parts of the Earth.  “The
earth is the Lord’s,” we read in Psalm 24:1, “and everything in it, the
world, and all who live in it.”   Our Lord God Almighty rules over the land,
sea, and air without any limitation to His authority.  The emphasis in verses 8-11 of Psalm 72 is on
its expansiveness not its extremities.

 

Verses 9-11 remind us that
every knee will bow before the King of kings. 
Whether by choice or by force, “at the name of Jesus every
knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue
acknowledge the Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians
2:10-11).   The nationality of the
kings and their location is immaterial; they will all acknowledge His
rule.  Those from the “desert
tribes” and “his
enemies” are the nations who are
physically close while the “kings of Tarshish…distant shores…Sheba
and Seba” are those at a greater
distance but regardless, they will “bring tribute to him.”  This
tribute is not only an act of worship but an act of obedience. 

 

As much we Christians claim
to be a “people of the Book,” I wonder if we forget this kind of imagery for
our Lord.  We tend to leave Jesus in a manger or perhaps on the dusty road in sandals. 
May we never forget, this SAME Jesus is the one “called
Faithful and True.  With justice He
judges and wages war.  His eyes are like
blazing fire, and on His head are many crowns. 
He has a name written on Him that no one knows but He Himself.  He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and
His name is the Word of God…Coming our of His mouth is a sharp sword with which
to strike down the nations.  ‘He will
rule them with an iron scepter.’  He
treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.  On His robe and on His thigh He has this name
written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS” (Revelation 19:11b-13,15-16).

 

Indeed, our Great King
Jesus has given us reason to be safe and secure as members of His Kingdom.  Rejoice, dear Christian, that your ruler is
your Savior, Redeemer, Counselor, and Friend. 
We can rest knowing we are on the winning team and our lives are for His
glory.

 

Verse 1

The sun comes up it’s a new day dawning

It’s time to sing Your song again

Whatever may pass and whatever lies before me

Let me be singing when the evening comes

 

Verse 2

You’re rich in love and You’re slow to anger

Your name is great and Your heart is kind

For all Your goodness I will keep on singing

Ten thousand reasons for my heart to find

 

Verse 3

And on that day when my strength is failing

The end draws near and my time has come

Still my soul will sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years and then forevermore

 

Chorus

Bless the Lord O my soul

O my soul

Worship His holy name

Sing like never before

O my soul

I’ll worship Your holy name

“10,000 Reasons (Bless the
Lord O My Soul)”

Jonas Myrin | Matt Redman

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