Psalm 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually… I. THE TEXT IS A PREDICTION; reminding us, in the first place, that the Bible is distinguished from every other book, professedly Divine, by the grandeur and the authoritative tone of its promises, and by the multitude and splendour of its predictions. Human philosophy may be said to have had three creeds; which might not improperly be distinguished as the creed of the past, of the present, and of the future. The books of Pagan antiquity sang only of the golden-aged pasta — of scenes of pastoral simplicity and happiness never to return; while, for the future, they could say nothing — their burden was despair. Then came the creed of the present. As early antiquity faded from view, man became prepared for the philosophy of Epicurus — for the optimism which professes to be satisfied with things as they are; and which, instead of aiming at human improvement, acts on the animal maxim, "Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die." But to this has now generally succeeded the creed of the future — a philosophical belief in the perfectibility of the species — a persuasion that man is, at length, on the high road to perfection. Now, all these voices are but perversions of the great truths of the Bible as to the past, the present, and the glorious future. The Bible is the true prophet of hope. II. THE MEANS BY WHICH THIS PREDICTION IS TO BE FULFILLED. It is by prayer. Philosophy may object, but we rely on it as indispensable in the order of means. For prayer is the condition on which God puts forth His power. For with even more clearness than the law of the Divine unchangeableness is revealed, the law that prayer prevails with God is revealed likewise. III. But not only does the text predict a change, and represent prayer as a means of realizing that change; IT DESCRIBES THAT PRAYER AS PARTAKING OF A SPECIFIC CHARACTER — as prayer for Christ; "prayer also shall be made for him continually." IV. THE WISDOM AND GRACE OF THIS ARRANGEMENT. For — 1. It keeps us in our proper place, at the feet of God. 2. It gives us opportunity of afresh avowing our adoration of the scheme of redemption by Christ. 3. It affords the strongest assurance of success in prayer. 4. It enables all to show their love to Christ by aiding in the advancement of His Kingdom. V. But let us regard THE ESPECIAL OBJECT OF OUR PRAYER in the behalf of Christ: what are we to pray for? Our prayers cannot be necessary for Him, in the same sense in which they are necessary for ourselves, and for each other. He knows no want, for all things are given into His hands. The prayer, then, that is to be made for Him is not to be made for Him personally, but relatively — on account of His relation to other beings — His relation to us. But not only is prayer to be made for the reign of Christ — the text predicts its continuity, or uninterruptedness; "prayer also shall be made for Him continually." Under the former dispensation, the fire which burnt upon the golden altar was never allowed to go out — and the ardent desire of the pious Israelites for the coming of Christ glowed continually on the altar of their hearts — it never went out. Observe, again, that prayer for Christ is to be offered conjointly with other things — "prayer also." In all conquered lands, the subjection of the people was marked by two things — their money was stamped with the name of the conqueror, and they were obliged to pray for him in their public worship. In allusion to this fact, it is here said of the conquering Saviour — "To Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba, prayer also shall be made for Him continually." The gold of Sheba — a portion of our worldly substance is to be devoted to Him, in connection with our prayers. For to pray in His behalf, without accompanying the act with this proof of our sincerity, would be as profane as to use all other kind of means except prayer would be impious. How many and how powerful the motives, then, which should induce us to pray for the reign of Christ! A sense of consistency demands it. A principle of benevolence to man requires it. A principle of gratitude requires it. He has prayed for us with strong crying and tears, or we should not, at this moment, be in a condition to pray for ourselves. He gave Himself for us. His priestly robes are never laid aside. And shall we intermit our prayers for Him? Let a sense of our obligation induce us to pray for Him. (J. Harris, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. |
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