Psalm 72:1-20 Vladimir, our Russian son, has been our gardener for the seven years he has lived with us. I remember the first time he cut the grass; he was so very proud of his accomplishment. Shortly after the grass was mowed, a shower came; we both stood in the carport and breathed in the elegant smell of rain on freshly mowed grass. There is nothing to compare with this smell. This psalm gives a beautiful description of what will happen to people who fear the Lord. One of the promises of God to those who fear Him is, “They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations. He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth” (vv. 5-6, KJV).
What a promise to those who fear the Lord this is! I believe the psalmist is saying that when we fear the Lord, we will receive showers of blessings and our lives will have the clean fresh smell of newly mown grass after a shower. Another verse in Scripture says the fear of the Lord is clean and pure.
What happens when showers come and water the earth? All the vegetation begins to grow. As we fear the Lord, we will be soaked in the refreshing shower of the Holy Spirit and the water of His Word. We will grow into trees of righteousness, the plantings of the Lord.
The opposite is true of those who do not fear the Lord. In fact, their lives have an odor about them that is not good. I have been in places where I knew there was a lot of demonic activity; the whole place had a stench of death about it. When we stay close to the Lord, we will bring refreshing showers to others when they are experiencing draught in their lives. This psalm continues to share more promises given to those who fear the Lord. God promises them righteous days and abundance of peace. This psalm is the last of the prayers written by David and recorded in the Scriptures. David ends his writings with these verses, “His name shall endure forever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen” (vv. 17-19, KJV).
What a great way to end our March readings!
READ: Deuteronomy 16:1-17:20; Luke 9:7-27; Psalm 72:1-20; Proverbs 12:8-9
