Solomon: Israel’s Wisest King (26): Solomon’s Dedicatory Prayer (I Kings 8:22-53) by Rev. Angus Stewart
I. The Powerful Preface
II. The Seven Petitions
III. The Christological Significance
Psalm singing: 138:1-6; 22:8-14; 20:1-7; 106:41-48 (see below for the words to these psalms)
Scripture reading: I Kings 8:22-53

Psalm 138:1-6
1 THEE will I praise with all my heart,
I will sing praise to thee
2 Before the gods: And worship will
toward thy sanctuary.
I’ll praise thy name, ev’n for thy truth,
and kindness of thy love;
For thou thy word hast magnify’d
all thy great name above.
3 Thou didst me answer in the day
when I to thee did cry;
And thou my fainting soul with strength
didst strengthen inwardly.
4 All kings upon the earth that are
shall give thee praise, 0 Lord ;
When as they from thy mouth shall hear
thy true and faithful word.
5 Yea, in the righteous ways of God
with gladness they shall sing:
For great’s the glory of the Lord,
who doth for ever reign.
6 Though God be high, yet he respects
all those that lowly be;
Whereas the proud and lofty ones
afar off knoweth he.

Psalm 22:8-14
8 This man did trust in God, that he
would free him by his might:
Let him deliver him, sith he
had in him such delight.
9 But thou art he out of the womb
that didst me safely take;
When I was on my mother’s breasts
thou me to hope didst make.
10 And I was cast upon thy care,
ev’n from the womb till now;
And from my mother’s belly, Lord,
my God and guide art thou.
11 Be not far off, for grief is near,
and none to help is found.
12 Bulls many compass me, strong bulls
of Bashan me surround.
13 Their mouths they open’d wide on me,
upon me gape did they.
Like to a lion ravening
and roaring for his prey.
14 Like water I’m pour’d out, my bones
all out of joint do part:
Amidst my bowels, as the wax,
so melted is my heart.

Psalm 20:1-7
JEHOVAH hear thee in the day
when trouble he doth send :
And let the name of Jacob’s God
thee from all ill defend.
2 0 let him help send from above,
out of his sanctuary:
From Sion, his own holy hill,
let him give strength to thee.
3 Let him remember all thy gifts,
accept thy sacrifice:
4 Grant thee thine heart’s wish, and fulfil
thy thoughts and counsel wise.
5 In thy salvation we will joy;
in our God’s name we will
Display our banners: and the Lord
thy prayers all fulfil.
6 Now know I God his king doth save:
he from his holy heav’n
Will hear him, with the saving strength
by his own right hand giv’n.
7 In chariots some put confidence,
some horses trust upon :
But we remember will the name
of our Lord God alone.

Psalm 106:41-48
41 He gave them to the heathen’s hand;
their foes did them command.
42 Their en’mies them oppress’d, they were
made subject to their hand.
43 He many times deliver’d them ;
but with their counsel so
They him provok’d, that for their sin
they were brought very low.
44 Yet their affliction he beheld,
when he did hear their cry :
45 And he for them his covenant
did call to memory;
After his mercies’ multitude
46 he did repent: And made
Them to be pitied of all those
who did them captive lead.
47 O Lord our God, us save, and gather
the heathen from among,
That we thy holy name may praise
in a triumphant song.
48 Bless’d be JEHOVAH, Isr’el’s God,
to all eternity:
Let all the people say, Amen.
Praise to the Lord give ye.

Belgic Confession 26: Christ’s Intercession
We believe that we have no access unto God but alone through the only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ the righteous,1 who therefore became man, having united in one person the divine and human natures, that we men might have access to the divine Majesty, which access would otherwise be barred against us. But this Mediator, whom the Father hath appointed between Him and us, ought in no wise to affright us by His majesty, or cause us to seek another according to our fancy.2 For there is no creature either in heaven or on earth who loveth us more than Jesus Christ;3 who, though He was in the form of God, yet made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a man and of a servant for us,4 and was made like unto His brethren in all things. If, then, we should seek for another mediator, who would be well affected towards us, whom could we find who loved us more than He who laid down His life for us, even when we were His enemies?5 And if we seek for one who hath power and majesty, who is there that hath so much of both as He who sits at the right hand of His Father, and who hath all power in heaven and on earth?6 And who will sooner be heard than the own well-beloved Son of God? ...