Prayer for Good Governance: A Study of Psalm 72 in the Nigeria Context

Mary Jerome Obiorah

Department of Religion and Cultural Studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/ojpp.2013.31A032                

Abstract

Contextualizationof Biblical texts is a priority of every exegete, who endeavors to bring the ancient scripts to dialogue with contemporary issues. This paper, which studies Psalm 72 and a prayer composed for good governance in Anambra State Nigeria, focuses on this hermeneutical interpretation. The writer adopts a simplified literary method in Biblical research that takes cognizance of the varied poetic techniques in Psalm 72 and engages in a detailed comparative study of a Psalm composed more than two millennia ago and a prayer of our time. Such comparative study reveals a striking similar preoccupation of the composers of both texts. Both prayed for good governance of which all developing countries today are in dire need.

Keywords

Prayer; Good Governance; Psalm 72; Nigeria

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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