Psalms 72:1

¶ [A Psalm] for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

A Psalm for Solomon {H8010}. Give {H5414}{H8798)} the king {H4428} thy judgments {H4941}, O God {H430}, and thy righteousness {H6666} unto the king's {H4428} son {H1121}.

By Shlomo: God, give the king your fairness in judgment, endow this son of kings with your righteousness,

Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness.

Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son.

Psalms 72:1 opens a profound prayer for the king, traditionally associated with Solomon, seeking divine wisdom and righteousness for his rule. This verse lays the foundation for the psalm's broader vision of a just and prosperous reign, ultimately pointing to the ideal, messianic king.

Context

The superscription, "A Psalm for Solomon," indicates that this psalm is either composed by Solomon, dedicated to him, or a prayer on his behalf. Regardless of its direct authorship, it reflects the aspirations for a righteous king in Israel, particularly as Solomon inherited the throne from David. It connects deeply with the Davidic covenant, where God promised an enduring dynasty. While immediately applicable to an earthly monarch, the psalm's ideals of perfect justice and universal dominion transcend any human king, finding their ultimate fulfillment in the reign of the Messiah.

Key Themes

  • Divine Wisdom for Rulers: The primary plea is for God to grant the king His "judgments" (mishpatim) and "righteousness" (tsedeq). This highlights the understanding that true, effective, and just governance flows from divine insight and moral integrity, not merely human strength or intellect.
  • Righteous Governance: The request for both the king and the "king's son" (the heir) to possess God's righteousness emphasizes the desire for a continuous lineage of rulers who uphold justice, equity, and moral uprightness in their administration. This ensures the well-being and stability of the nation.
  • Messianic Hope: Although a prayer for an earthly king, the elevated language and universal scope of the psalm's subsequent verses suggest a deeper, prophetic layer. This verse sets the stage for a vision of a king whose reign embodies perfect justice and peace, a vision fully realized in the kingdom of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King of kings.

Linguistic Insights

The two key Hebrew words in this verse are mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים), translated as "judgments," and tsedeq (צֶדֶק), translated as "righteousness." Mishpatim refers to divine decrees, laws, and the administration of justice. It encompasses the act of judging fairly and discerning right from wrong. Tsedeq denotes moral uprightness, integrity, and conformity to God's holy standard. Together, they represent the complete character of a just and godly ruler.

Practical Application

Psalms 72:1 serves as a timeless model for prayer concerning those in authority. It reminds believers of their responsibility to pray for their leaders, asking that God would grant them wisdom, discernment, and a commitment to justice and righteousness (1 Timothy 2:2). Furthermore, it encourages individuals in any position of influence, from parents to managers, to seek God's guidance and to act with integrity and fairness, reflecting His character in their own spheres of leadership.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 23:5

    Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.

  • Jeremiah 23:6

    In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this [is] his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:12

    Only the LORD give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the LORD thy God.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:13

    Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.

  • 1 Chronicles 29:19

    And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all [these things], and to build the palace, [for] the which I have made provision.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:10

    Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, [that is so] great?

  • 1 Kings 1:39

    And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.

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