He Shall Reign Forever

Theme: A song for the King

Scripture: Psalm 72

Objectives: (From the D6 Fusion Sunday School Lesson book)

Know: Jesus’ reign will be righteous, eternal, universal, benevolent, and glorious.

Think: View my life as service to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Do: Honor, serve, and submit to Jesus as King.

B1 Introduction

C1 This Psalm is labeled “Of Solomon,” but it is probably “For Solomon.” Note the last note of the Psalm. Others believe the ending reflects the Psalms from 42-72 as David’s Book of Psalms.

C2 Most likely a prayer by David for his son, Solomon, as Solomon is crowned king.

C3 It is Messianic.

C4 One summary of the Psalms can be found here.

C5 This Psalm is thought to be the inspiration of Isaac Watts’ poem Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun.

C6 For most of the Psalm is a series of requests for the king.

B2 A summary

C1 That the king may

D1 Have God's justice

D2 Have God's righteousness

D3 Have agriculture blessed

D4 Help and bring justice to the afflicted and the poor

D5 Punish the oppressor

D6 Have an eternal reign

D7 Bring growth, health, and blessing

D8 See an increase in righteous people

D9 Rule the whole world

D10 All bow their knee to him

D11 All leaders and people serve him

C2 The king will

D1 Rescue the poor

D2 Deliver the afflicted

D3 Have compassion (and doing something to help) the poor, helpless, those who have no one to help them

D4 Save them from oppression and violence

D5 Love their lives

C3 That the king may

D1 Live a long time

D2 Have gold

D3 Have prayers offered to him

D4 Have people praise and bless him forever

D5 Have plenty to supply everyone's need

D6 Have his name endure forever

D7 Have all nations be blessed by his reign

C4 Praise God forever

D1 He alone can do miracles

D2 Be praised as God forever

D3 Is a wonderful and mighty creator

B4 Questions

C1 What kind of king is this?

C2 Do you know or have you read of any king who is like this?

C3 How could this Psalm not be just of Solomon?

B5 Psalm 72:1,

C1 The word for judgment, justice, is מִשְׁפָּט mishpat. It means to render a decision.

C2 Why is this important for a king?

C3 How can we apply this to any leader, pastor, Christian, or decision?

B6 Psalm 72:2-7,

C1 The Lord Jesus is the Prince of Peace, who will bring peace. Why do people reject Him when they are asking for peace?

C2 How can we be at peace in this life?

C3 How can we encourage God’s peace in the world?

C4 Why is it important that the king give justice to the poor?

C5 How do present day leaders fail in this?

C6 How will He save the children of the needy?

C7 How would you explain abundance of peace?

C8 These verses foretell the coming Millennial Peace when Jesus reigns on David’s throne in Jerusalem:

D1 Isaiah 11:6-9 NKJV - The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.

D2 Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV - For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of [His] government and peace [There will be] no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

C9 Why can’t any world leader ever bring peace?

C10 How do these 2 verses bring peace?

D1 John 16:33 NKJV - "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

D2 Romans 5:1 NKJV - Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

B7 Psalm 72:8-11,

C1 Why will all fall down (bow) in His presence, before Him? Compare:

D1 Isaiah 45:23 NKJV - I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth [in] righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. (This is quoted in Romans 14:11).

D2 Philippians 2:10 NKJV - that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth.

C2 Why is there a mention of other kings? Will there be other kings?

B8 Psalm 72:12-16,

C1 Many heretics preach a social gospel for the world’s salvation. What is the difference in these two quotes: (Quotes were found here)

D1 Vance Havner: If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.

D2 Bill Clinton: I have always cherished the Methodist Church because it gave us the great gift of personal salvation but also the great obligation of social gospel, and I took that very seriously and have tried, tried to be guided in my own life ever since as an advocate for children and families, for women and men around the world who are oppressed and persecuted, denied their human rights and human dignity.

C2 How does the Bible describe the Gospel?

D1 John 6:29 NKJV - Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.

D2 John 20:31 NKJV - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

D3 John 20:31 NKJV - but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

C3 How will Messiah’s justice and help for the needy be different, or are they?

C4 Why will Messiah’s kingdom see no hunger?

C5 How else will His kingdom be different?

B9 Psalm 72:17-20,

C1 How can this king live forever?

C2 Why doesn’t He become corrupt like most countries’ leaders?

C3 How will the whole earth be filled with His glory?

C4 How can the church and, more specifically, each Christian reflect the life and wishes of this King?

C5 How do we serve this king today?

C6 Who is this king?

B10 Next week

C1 A Lasting Love

C2 Theme: A Song of Enduring Love

C3 Scriptures: Psalm 89