This psalm is a prayer for a king. The psalmist prays that God would bestow on the king qualifications which would tend to secure a just (verse 1), peaceful (verse 2), benevolent (verse 3), and godly (verse 4) reign. These traits please God, and the citizens’ happiness depends on them.

If the kings of Israel and Judah had practiced such good virtues, their kingdoms would not have been destroyed by God. Unfortunately, the kings were ungodly and their reigns were less than benevolent.

The lesson is still applicable for us today. If a nation were to practice righteousness, God will certainly bless her: “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Righteousness will make a nation great. A just and honest government creates wealth for its people. A corrupt government creates wealth only for itself while its people remain poor and oppressed. A corrupt government is a reproach (disgrace) to the nation and the world.

This is the problem we face in the world today. The Western world can no longer be considered as “Christian” nations. Why? It is because they have moved so far from God’s standards that they can no longer see a way back. They have reduced morality to political discussions and debates about personal rights, rather than seeking what is right in God’s eyes. Same sex marriage is just the beginning; I’m afraid the worst is yet to come. Indeed, sin is a disgrace to a nation.

There is therefore only one solution to this planet’s social and moral problems: repent and return to God’s standard and become a righteous people. Only if we do this will there be hope for the world.

Paul exhorts Christians to pray for those in authority and the reason is this: “that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty” (1 Timothy 2:2).

We may not feel like it but we are commanded to pray for those who are in “high positions” and that most certainly means praying for governmental leaders and politicians. As bad as they may seem or as corrupt as we might believe they are, this does not relieve us of our responsibility to pray for those who are over us. This is because the happiness of a nation depends greatly on those who are appointed as its government and hence we should pray for them that they may be people who are inclined to do that which are right.

Clarke commented on 1 Timothy 2:2: “We thus pray for the government that the public peace may be preserved. Good rulers have power to do much good; we pray that their authority may be ever preserved and well directed. Bad rulers have power to do much evil; we pray that they may be prevented from thus using their power. So that, whether the rulers be good or bad, prayer for them is the positive duty of all Christians; and the answer to their prayers, in either ease, will be the means of their being enabled to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.” (Clarke Commentaries, e-sword).

If we want to have good life it has to start with the government. Good government equals good life. Therefore, it behooves us to pray for those who rule. Christians should not be participating in rebellions and insurrections but are called to submit to governments: “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Romans 13:1). Let us Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s (Mark 12:17).

Jimmy Lau