Psalms in Worship—Psalm 72:1–7, 10–14 A Litany with Our World Belongs to God

Published January 5, 2026

Updated January 5, 2026

trees by streams of water
By Joyce Borger

Psalm 72 appears in the Revised Common Lectionary on Epiphany along with the story of the Magi and Herod from the beginning of Matthew 2. The two passages present a stark contrast between the king of this world, Herod, and the king spoken of in Psalm 72. Herod is only concerned with his own well-being, while the king of Psalm 72 uses his power and authority to seek the flourishing of all people and creation. Which king do you follow? 

 

Reader 1

Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to a king’s son.
May he judge your people with righteousness
    and your poor with justice.
May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness.
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the needy,
    and crush the oppressor.
—Psalm 72:1–4 NRSVUE 

Reader 2

Followers of the Prince of Peace
are called to be peacemakers,
promoting harmony and order
and restoring what is broken.
We call on our governments to work for peace
and to restore just relationships.
We deplore the spread of weapons
in our world and on our streets
with the risks they bring
and the horrors they threaten.
We call on all nations to reduce their arsenals
to what is needed
in the defense of justice and freedom.

All

We pledge to walk in ways of peace,
confessing that our world belongs to God;
God is our sure defense.
—Our World Belongs to God, para. 54, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission. 

Reader 1

May [the king] live while the sun endures
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
May [the king] be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth.
In his days may righteousness flourish
    and peace abound, until the moon is no more.
—Psalm 72:5–7 NRSVUE 

Reader 2

Our hope for a new creation is not tied
to what humans can do,
for we believe that one day
every challenge to God’s rule
will be crushed.
[God’s] kingdom will fully come,
and the Lord will rule.

All

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
—Our World Belongs to God, para. 55, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission. 

Reader 1

May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
    render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
    bring gifts. 
May all kings fall down before him,
    all nations give him service.
—Psalm 72:10–11 NRSVUE 

Reader 2

We call on all governments to do public justice
and to protect the rights and freedoms
of individuals, groups, and institutions
so that each may do their tasks.
We urge governments and pledge ourselves
to safeguard children and the elderly
from abuse and exploitation,
to bring justice to the poor and oppressed,
and to promote the freedom
to speak, work, worship, and associate.
—Our World Belongs to God, para. 53, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission. 

Reader 1

For he delivers the needy when they call,
    the poor and those who have no helper. 
He has pity on the weak and the needy
    and saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
    and precious is their blood in his sight.
—Psalm 72:12–14 NRSVUE 

Reader 2

We long for that day
when our bodies are raised,
the Lord wipes away our tears,
and we dwell forever in the presence of God.
We will take our place in the new creation,
where there will be no more death
or mourning or crying or pain,
and the Lord will be our light.

All

Come, Lord Jesus, come.
—Our World Belongs to God, para. 56, © 2008, Christian Reformed Church in North America, Grand Rapids MI. www.crcna.org. Used by permission.