Psalms72

Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king, likely Solomon, seeking divine judgment and righteousness for his rule. It envisions a reign characterized by profound justice for the poor, widespread peace, and flourishing righteousness. This king's dominion will be vast and enduring, bringing deliverance to the needy and universal blessing, ultimately reflecting God's glory.
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Prayer for the King's Righteous Rule

1
Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son. ​
2
He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice.
3
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. ​
4
He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.

The Duration and Nature of the Reign

5
They shall fear thee while the sun endureth, And so long as the moon, throughout all generations. ​
6
He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, As showers that water the earth. ​
7
In his days shall the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more.

Universal Dominion and Submission

8
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River unto the ends of the earth. ​
9
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; And his enemies shall lick the dust.
10
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. ​
11
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.

The King as Deliverer of the Needy

12
For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper. ​
13
He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save.
14
He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence; And precious will their blood be in his sight: ​

Prosperity and Eternal Renown

15
And they shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: And men shall pray for him continually; They shall bless him all the day long. ​
16
There shall be abundance of grain in the earth upon the top of the mountains; The fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: And they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. ​
17
His name shall endure for ever; His name shall be continued as long as the sun: And men shall be blessed in him; All nations shall call him happy. ​

Doxology and Conclusion

18
Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things: ​
19
And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.
20
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. ​

Study Notes for Psalms 72

Verse 1

The superscription attributes this psalm to or concerning Solomon, but the ideals expressed transcend any historical king, serving as a messianic expectation for the perfect, righteous ruler of the Davidic line.

Verse 3

The idea that the terrain itself (mountains and hills) brings peace suggests that the king’s righteousness permeates all aspects of creation, resulting in a holistic societal flourishing.

Verse 5

This verse emphasizes the eternal quality of the king’s reign, linking his rule to the fixed cosmic order (sun and moon). This promise of permanence is central to the Davidic Covenant.

Verse 6

The king's rule is compared to gentle, life-giving rain, suggesting refreshment and fertility. His authority is not oppressive, but restorative, bringing growth and sustenance to the nation.

Verse 8

This prophecy describes idealized universal dominion, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Euphrates River ('the river') and beyond, confirming the king's ultimate authority over all earthly powers.

Verse 10

Tarshish (in the West) and Sheba/Seba (in the South/East) represent the most distant known regions, emphasizing that the homage and tribute paid to the king will be global.

Verse 12

The universal dominion described previously (vv. 8–11) is justified by the king's character: he defends the vulnerable, making justice for the poor the foundation of his global authority.

Verse 14

The king acts as a redeemer, protecting the lives of the helpless from exploitation and violence. 'Precious shall their blood be' highlights the high value the righteous ruler places on the life of the oppressed.

Verse 15

The giving of the gold of Sheba reinforces the theme of universal tribute (v. 10). The continual prayer and praise ensure the king’s ongoing success and blessed status.

Verse 16

This is an image of miraculous agricultural abundance, where even difficult mountain soil yields crops shaking like the cedar forests of Lebanon, symbolizing perfect peace and security within the kingdom.

Verse 17

The promise that 'men shall be blessed in him' echoes the blessing promised to Abraham (Gen 12:3), affirming that this king is the channel through which God’s covenantal blessings flow to all nations.

Verse 18

This formal blessing (Doxology) praises God for the wondrous works described in the Psalm, shifting focus from the king to the divine source of all righteous rule. It marks the conclusion of Book II of the Psalter.

Verse 20

This colophon concludes the second major collection of psalms (Book II, Pss 42–72). While many subsequent psalms are also Davidic, this note demarcates the end of an editorial unit compiled under David's name.

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