February 3 -- "Amen and Amen!"

 Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 1 & Psalm 72

"Amen and Amen!"

Today’s verse is a powerful expression of praise and adoration for God. The psalmist declares that God's name is worthy of blessing and praise for all eternity. He desires that God's glory, (which represents his greatness, power, and majesty) would fill the entire earth. The repeated "Amen" emphasizes the sincerity and intensity of the psalmist's prayer.

It is unclear who the author of Psalm 72 was. Some say it was Solomon, as the notation in the heading says “Of Solomon.” Others believe it authored by David, because the closing caption states, “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”  Most likely this was David’s final psalm as he passed the kingdom over to Solomon.  It contains the Psalmist’s heartfelt prayer for the Lord’s blessing upon his son Solomon’s life, his government, and the nation of Israel.

Included in the petition are requests for wisdom, justice, prosperity, deliverance from oppressors, victory over enemies, and abundance in the land. As we read Psalm 72, we find that it goes far beyond Solomon and is actually a prophecy of the future Son that was promised to David, Jesus Christ, who would sit on the throne of David and rule it and establish it in order, in justice, and in righteousness, from henceforth forever.

During the glorious reign of The Son of David (which will soon be upon us) some amazing things will take place. Jesus will rule with pure justice and righteousness. He will be fair to all, including the poor and needy. The mountains and hills will bring forth prosperity. Those who had been plagued by evil and powerful oppressors will be delivered. The righteous will flourish, and peace will abound. His kingdom will encompass the entire Earth, and all kings and rulers will bow down to Him. Everyone will be blessed because of Him!  Oh, what a day that will be!

The Psalmist concludes his prayer with praises to God and ends with the exclamation, “Amen and Amen!” The Hebrew word for “amen” expresses assurance, confirmation, and truth. When saying "amen," you're essentially saying, "Yes, this is true and steadfast." Its proper use is where one person confirms the words of another and expresses an emphatic desire for those words to come to pass. As the Psalmist proclaims the gloriousness of God’s name and speaks prophetically of the coming Eternal King, he is overwhelmed with the thought that God alone can and will do such things. And to that he emphatically says, “So be it! So be it! This is truth!”