VATICAN - The Pope teaches on Psalm 71 during his weekly audience: “the decisive element to recognise the figure of the Messiah King is above all justice and love for the poor”

Vatican City (Fides Service) - This morning, 15 December the Pope held his Wednesday audience in two stages, first in St Peter’s where he received students and other young people from different regions of Italy and then in the Paul VI Audience Hall where he addressed visitors from all over the world. In his teaching the Pope reflected on part two of Psalm 71 (verses 12-19), “reign of peace and blessings” (Vespers Thursday week 2; reading: Ps 71,12-13.17-19).
This royal hymn is dedicated to the glorious figure of the Messiah King. ““the decisive element to recognise the figure of the Messiah King is above all his justice and love for the poor” - the Pope explained -. He is for them the only point of reference and source of hope because he is the visible representative of God their only defender and patron”.
Because many Kings of Israel failed in this commitment, abusing the weak and the poor now “the Psalmist looks to a just and perfect king incarnated by the Messiah, the only sovereign willing to liberate the oppressed «from violence and abuse»”... “The Lord is the primary «ransomer-redeemer» who works visibly through the Messiah King protecting the ‘life and blood of the poor, his protégés.”
Psalm 71 ends in its original version with an acclamation in honour of the Messiah King rich “of elements which belong to the style of behaviour of members of the court, with their proper emphasis. Now these words acquire their truth in the work of the perfect, awaited and hoped for king the Messiah, According to a characteristic of messianic poems all nature is involved in a transformation which is first of all social: the wheat of the harvest will be as abundant as a sea of corn ears waving as far as the mountain tops. This is the sign of the divine blessing poured out on a land of peace and serenity”. In the image of the messiah king Christians saw a portrayal of Jesus Christ, rereading the song in a Christological key St Augustine explains “the poor and the weak to whose assistance Christ comes are «the people who believe in Him”. (S.L.) (15/12/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25; Parole:372)
Vatican City (Fides Service) - This morning, 15 December the Pope held his Wednesday audience in two stages, first in St Peter’s where he received students and other young people from different regions of Italy and then in the Paul VI Audience Hall where he addressed visitors from all over the world. In his teaching the Pope reflected on part two of Psalm 71 (verses 12-19), “Kingdom of peace and blessings” (Vespers Thursday week 2; reading: Ps 71,12-13.17-19).
This royal hymn is dedicated to the glorious figure of the Messiah King. ““the decisive element to recognise the figure of the Messiah King is above all his justice and love for the poor” - the Pope explained -. He is for them the only point of reference and source of hope because he is the visible representative of God their only defender and patron”.
Because many Kings of Israel failed in this commitment, abusing the weak and the poor now “the Psalmist looks to a just and perfect king incarnated by the Messiah, the only sovereign willing to liberate the oppressed «from violence and abuse»”... “The Lord is the primary «ransomer-redeemer» who works visibly through the Messiah King protecting the ‘life and blood of the poor, his protégés.”
Psalm 71 ends in its original version with an acclamation in honour of the Messiah King rich “of elements which belong to the style of behaviour of members of the court, with their proper emphasis. Now these words acquire their truth in the work of the perfect, awaited and hoped for king the Messiah, According to a characteristic of messianic poems all nature is involved in a transformation which is first of all social: the wheat of the harvest will be as abundant as a sea of corn ears waving as far as the mountain tops. This is the sign of the divine blessing poured out on a land of peace and serenity”. In the image of the messiah king Christians saw a portrayal of Jesus Christ, rereading the song in a Christological key St Augustine explains “the poor and the weak to whose assistance Christ comes are «the people who believe in Him”. (S.L.) (15/12/2004 Agenzia Fides; Righe:25; Parole:372)
See the Pope address
http://www.evangelizatio.org/portale/adgentes/pontefici/pontefice.php?id=222