Psalms 72:1

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 72:1 initiates a profound prayer, traditionally ascribed to or for King Solomon, petitioning God for divine wisdom and righteousness to govern. This foundational verse establishes the psalm's overarching vision for a just, compassionate, and prosperous reign, setting the stage for a kingdom that ultimately transcends human limitations and finds its perfect expression in the ideal, messianic King.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalms 72:1 serves as the opening declaration of a royal psalm, distinct from the preceding Psalms 71, which is a personal prayer for deliverance in old age. This psalm marks the conclusion of Book Two of the Psalter, often seen as a collection of Davidic prayers and royal psalms. Its superscription, "A Psalm for Solomon," immediately establishes its focus on the monarchy. The verse's petition for divine attributes for the king and his heir sets the tone for the entire psalm, which elaborates on the characteristics and blessings of an ideal, righteous reign, culminating in a vision of universal peace and dominion. It functions as a foundational prayer for the success and divine guidance of the Davidic dynasty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the king was not merely a political leader but also a divinely appointed representative, expected to embody God's justice and righteousness among His people. The concept of kingship was deeply intertwined with the [Davidic Covenant](/2_samuel/7-12 "2 Samuel 7:12 - God's Covenant with David"), where God promised an enduring dynasty to David. Solomon, as David's successor, inherited this profound legacy and the immense responsibility it entailed. This psalm reflects the fervent hope and prayer of the community for their ruler to govern according to God's standards, ensuring societal stability, justice for the vulnerable, and the nation's prosperity. The plea for the 'king's son' also highlights the crucial importance of succession and the desire for a continuous lineage of righteous leadership.

* **Key Themes:** The primary plea in this verse is for God to grant the king His "judgments" (Hebrew: *mishpatim*) and "righteousness" (Hebrew: *tsedeq*). This underscores the fundamental belief that true, effective, and just governance is not born of human strength or intellect alone, but flows directly from divine insight and moral integrity. It is a recognition that the king's authority is derived from God, and therefore, his rule must reflect God's character and decrees. This theme resonates with the wisdom literature, which frequently emphasizes the divine source of true wisdom for leaders, as seen in [Proverbs 8:15-16](/proverbs/8-15 "Proverbs 8:15-16 - Kings Rule by Wisdom"). 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, particularly protecting the poor and needy, a theme that becomes prominent in the subsequent verses of this psalm. The ideal king is one who champions the cause of the oppressed, reflecting God's own character as a righteous judge, as depicted in [Psalms 9:8](/psalms/9-8 "Psalms 9:8 - God Judges the World in Righteousness"). Although immediately applicable to an earthly monarch, the elevated language and universal scope of the psalm's subsequent verses (e.g., dominion from sea to sea, all nations serving him) suggest a deeper, prophetic layer. This verse, by setting the stage for a vision of a king whose reign embodies perfect justice and peace, points beyond any human king to the ultimate, ideal ruler. This messianic hope finds its full realization in the [kingdom of Jesus Christ](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6 - The Messiah's Eternal Reign"), the promised Son of David, whose reign is truly eternal, righteous, and universal, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6-7 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Child Born for Us").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judgments (Hebrew, _mishpatim'_):** This plural noun refers to divine decrees, ordinances, and the administration of justice. It encompasses the act of judging fairly, discerning right from wrong, and upholding legal and moral standards. When applied to a king, it signifies the ability and commitment to make righteous decisions, to rule impartially, and to defend the cause of the vulnerable, ensuring that justice prevails throughout the land.
* **Righteousness (Hebrew, _tsedeq'_):** This noun denotes moral uprightness, integrity, and conformity to God's holy standard. It describes a state of being in right relationship with God and acting in accordance with His character. For a king, *tsedeq* implies a deep personal commitment to ethical conduct, a devotion to truth, and a consistent demonstration of equity and fairness in all aspects of governance, reflecting God's own perfect righteousness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"¶ [A Psalm] for Solomon":** This superscription indicates the psalm's dedication or association with King Solomon. It could mean "by Solomon," "about Solomon," or "for Solomon." Regardless of authorship, it frames the psalm as a prayer concerning the Davidic monarchy, specifically at a pivotal moment of succession or reign, setting the stage for a petition for divine guidance for the ruler.
* **"Give the king thy judgments, O God":** This is the core petition. The psalmist, addressing God directly, pleads for the reigning monarch to be endowed with God's own divine capacity for justice and discernment. "Thy judgments" (*mishpatim*) refers to God's righteous decrees and the wisdom to apply them in governance, ensuring fair and equitable rule for the nation.
* **"and thy righteousness unto the king's son":** The petition extends beyond the current king to his heir, the "king's son." This emphasizes the desire for a continuous lineage of righteous rulers. "Thy righteousness" (*tsedeq*) signifies God's moral integrity and uprightness. The prayer is that the successor will also embody God's character, ruling with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to moral rectitude, thus ensuring the enduring stability and spiritual health of the kingdom.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **synthetic parallelism**, where the second line expands upon or completes the thought of the first. "Give the king thy judgments, O God" is paralleled by "and thy righteousness unto the king's son," extending the petition from the current monarch to his successor and broadening the desired divine attributes from "judgments" (legal discernment) to "righteousness" (moral integrity). This structure emphasizes the continuity of divine qualities desired in the royal line. The use of **apostrophe** is also evident, as the psalmist directly addresses God ("O God") in a plea for divine intervention and endowment. Furthermore, the psalm as a whole functions as a **prayer**, a direct address to God seeking His favor and action, specifically for the well-being and righteous governance of the kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This opening verse of Psalms 72 establishes a profound theological truth: that legitimate and effective human governance must be rooted in and flow from the character of God Himself. The request for God's 'judgments' and 'righteousness' for the king and his heir is not merely a wish for good leadership, but a recognition that true justice and moral integrity are divine attributes. When human rulers embody these qualities, they reflect God's own reign over creation, bringing order, equity, and flourishing to society. This prayer acknowledges human dependency on divine wisdom for the immense responsibility of leadership, highlighting that even the most powerful earthly authority is ultimately accountable to the supreme King.
* [Deuteronomy 17:18-20](/deuteronomy/17-18 "Deuteronomy 17:18-20 - The Law for the King")
* [Proverbs 29:4](/proverbs/29-4 "Proverbs 29:4 - A King who Exercises Justice")
* [Isaiah 11:2-5](/isaiah/11-2-5 "Isaiah 11:2-5 - The Spirit of the Lord on the Messiah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 72:1 provides a timeless model for how believers should approach the topic of leadership, both within the church and in the wider world. It calls us to actively pray for those in authority, recognizing that their ability to govern justly and righteously is a gift from God. This is not merely a passive act but an active participation in seeking God's will for society. For those in positions of leadership, whether in government, business, family, or ministry, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the source of true wisdom and the standard of righteous conduct. It challenges us to seek God's 'judgments' and 'righteousness' in our own spheres of influence, striving to reflect His character in our decisions and interactions, always prioritizing fairness, integrity, and the well-being of those under our care. Our prayers for leaders should be specific, asking for divine discernment, moral courage, and a heart for justice, knowing that such prayers contribute to the flourishing of communities and nations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge my perspective on praying for political leaders?**
* **In what ways can I, in my own sphere of influence, seek God's "judgments" and "righteousness" to guide my decisions?**
* **What specific qualities of God's character, as revealed in this verse, do I most desire to see in those who lead me?**

### FAQ
**Why is it important to pray for leaders, according to this verse?**

Answer: Psalms 72:1 underscores the critical importance of divine wisdom and righteousness for effective governance. By praying for leaders to receive God's "judgments" and "righteousness," we acknowledge that true leadership, which benefits society, originates from God. This aligns with the New Testament instruction to pray for all in authority, "that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way" ([1 Timothy 2:2](/1_timothy/2-2 "1 Timothy 2:2 - Pray for All People")). Our prayers are a recognition of their immense responsibility and a petition for God to empower them to rule in a way that reflects His justice and character, ultimately leading to the welfare of the people.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Psalms 72:1 is a direct prayer for an earthly king, likely Solomon, its elevated language and the subsequent universal scope of the psalm's vision find their ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and reign of Jesus Christ, the true Son of David and the King of kings. No human monarch, not even Solomon in his wisest moments, could fully embody the divine 'judgments' and 'righteousness' petitioned for in this verse. Jesus, however, is uniquely qualified, being God incarnate, full of grace and truth ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). He is the one upon whom the [Spirit of the Lord rests](/isaiah/11-2 "Isaiah 11:2 - The Spirit of the Lord on the Messiah"), the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, counsel and might, knowledge and the fear of the Lord. His reign is characterized by perfect justice, where He judges the poor with righteousness and decides with equity for the meek of the earth ([Isaiah 11:4](/isaiah/11-4 "Isaiah 11:4 - The Messiah's Righteous Judgment")). Unlike any earthly dynasty, His kingdom is eternal, without end ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - The Eternal Kingdom of Jesus")), and His righteousness is not merely an attribute but His very nature, freely imputed to all who believe ([Romans 3:21-22](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-22 - Righteousness Through Faith")). Thus, this ancient prayer for a king's divine endowment is fully realized in the glorious and everlasting reign of our Lord Jesus Christ, the righteous King.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.