The Ideal King and His Kingdom

Order of Service

• Scripture Reading — Psalm 72
• Sermon
• Prayer

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Sermon Title: The Ideal King and His Kingdom

Scripture: Psalm 72

I. The Character of the Kingdom (Psalm 72:1–4)

A. The dominant theme is righteousness and justice — judging in accord with God's holy law B. The king was to judge with equity, blind to social, financial, and familial status

1. The Pentateuch, especially Deuteronomy, shows God's concern for the sojourner — unique in the ancient Near East
2. Righteousness in the Old Testament is consistently linked to care for the poor, the orphan, and the widow
3. The rich could bribe their way out of judgment; the king of Israel was to be different C. John 7:24 — Jesus commands righteous judgment, not judgment by appearances D. Solomon began well, asking for wisdom in 1 Kings 3, but fell in 1 Kings 11 — heavy taxes, pagan wives, a turned heart E. Every earthly king ultimately fails; in Adam, no one can sustain blind justice F. Christ alone judges perfectly — John 5:30: he judges not by what he sees but by what he hears from the Father
4. His judgment is attuned 100% to the word of God
5. He is Blind Lady Justice personified and perfected

II. The Duration of the Kingdom and the King (Psalm 72:5–7)

A. The reign endures as long as sun and moon — language pointing beyond any earthly king B. The righteous flourish and peace abounds without end under this king

III. The Expanse of the Kingdom and the King (Psalm 72:8–11)

A. Dominion from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth B. Kings of Tarshish, Sheba, and Seba bring tribute; all nations serve him C. Partially fulfilled in the glory days of Solomon; ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who gathers a people from every tribe, nation, and tongue

IV. The Nature of the King and the Kingdom (Psalm 72:12–14)

A. The king delivers the needy, has pity on the weak, and redeems from oppression and violence B. Precious is their blood in his sight — a gentle and lowly king C. This nature is fully embodied in Jesus Christ

V. The Blessing of the Kingdom and the King (Psalm 72:15–19)

A. Blessing flows from the people to the king — praise and glorification all day long

1. Ephesians 5:18–21 — be filled with the Spirit, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, blessing the exalted Christ together Sabbath after Sabbath B. Blessing flows from the king to the people — Psalm 72:17: all nations blessed in him
2. Ephesians 1:3 — blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ C. Blessing ascends to God himself — Psalm 72:18–19: blessed be the Lord who alone does wondrous things; may the whole earth be filled with his glory D. Closing: the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7 — God promises David not a building but a dynasty, a house of people
3. 2 Corinthians 6:16–18 — the church is the temple of the living God; verse 18 echoes the covenant promise of 2 Samuel 7
4. Solomon built a physical temple, but only Christ can build the house of promise — living stones, a people from every tribe, nation, and tongue, blessed with every spiritual blessing forever