When we pray ‘Righteousness exalts a nation’, what does it mean?

 

Proverbs 14:34 is one verse we often use to pray for the nation. However, it will be helpful to understand the context and the verse to pray meaningfully. And let it be with understanding that we pray…

The immediate context is Proverbs 14:28-35 from which the verse is taken. There is a literary device called the ‘inclusio’ found here. V28 opens with the king’s glory and V35 ends with the king’s favor. So this passage can be scoped in how the king should govern. And since within the verses, the wicked and righteous are mentioned, the scope can also include the kind of people we need in this kingdom. And it may also be good to note also that there are ‘contrasts’ used in each verse by the word ‘But’.

This passage begins with the king’s glory when there are multitude that he governs versus his ruin when there is absence of people (v28). And how he governs is mentioned too: Being slow to anger versus quick-tempered (v29), having a tranquil heart versus passion (v30), whether he oppresses the poor (which equates to taunting God) versus being gracious to the needy (v31).

The passage continues to state that wickedness and evil doings by evil people will be judged but the righteous will have a refuge (v32). And one needs to be wise with understanding rather than being fools (v33). And here comes the verse we often pray: “Righteousness exalts a nation but sin is a disgrace to any people” (v34). Contextualizing it, the verse is talking about the kind of people that will exalt or make great the nation. It is righteous people living and inhabiting the nation that exalt or make the nation great. Sin and wickedness in people cause disgrace.

And the passage ends with the king’s treatment of the servant who is either wise or foolish (v35)

So when I pray this verse, I pray for our government leaders to govern in righteous and wise ways. I pray that they will not oppress the poor and will be gracious to the needy. I pray that they will have understanding. I pray that they will value the wise and be God’s judgement against the wicked and evil doers.

And I also pray for the governed, which is us, that we will be righteous and live righteously, adding to the nation who is called to be righteous.

So in praying this verse in its context, I am asking God for righteous governing and also a righteous people. With this understanding, let’s remember our nation in prayer.