Psalm 72 is one of the clearest passages in Scripture on what righteous government is supposed to look like. It presents a king not as a messiah of bureaucracy, not as a manager of every corner of life, and not as a celebrity for the crowds. Instead, it presents a ruler who receives judgment from God, governs with righteousness, defends the needy, crushes oppression, and brings peace to the land.

This matters because many Christians know they should care about government, but are not always sure how to think about it biblically. What should civil rulers actually do? What is justice? What should believers pray for when they pray for presidents, governors, judges, or local officials? And what does Psalm 72 teach about the relationship between righteousness and national blessing?

This psalm answers those questions with unusual force and clarity.