Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

Of Solomon.

1Give the king your justice, O God,

and your righteousness to a king's son.

2May he judge your people with righteousness,

and your poor with justice.

3May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,

and the hills, in righteousness.

4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,

give deliverance to the needy,

and crush the oppressor.

5May he live72.5 Gk: Heb may they fear you while the sun endures,

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,

like showers that water the earth.

7In his days may righteousness flourish

and peace abound, until the moon is no more.

8May he have dominion from sea to sea,

and from the River to the ends of the earth.

9May his foes72.9 Cn: Heb those who live in the wilderness bow down before him,

and his enemies lick the dust.

10May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles

render him tribute,

may the kings of Sheba and Seba

bring gifts.

11May all kings fall down before him,

all nations give him service.

12For he delivers the needy when they call,

the poor and those who have no helper.

13He has pity on the weak and the needy,

and saves the lives of the needy.

14From oppression and violence he redeems their life;

and precious is their blood in his sight.

15Long may he live!

May gold of Sheba be given to him.

May prayer be made for him continually,

and blessings invoked for him all day long.

16May there be abundance of grain in the land;

may it wave on the tops of the mountains;

may its fruit be like Lebanon;

and may people blossom in the cities

like the grass of the field.

17May his name endure for ever,

his fame continue as long as the sun.

May all nations be blessed in him;72.17 Or bless themselves by him

may they pronounce him happy.

18Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,

who alone does wondrous things.

19Blessed be his glorious name for ever;

may his glory fill the whole earth.

Amen and Amen.

20The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.