Psalms 72:12

For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.

For he shall deliver {H5337}{H8686)} the needy {H34} when he crieth {H7768}{H8764)}; the poor {H6041} also, and him that hath no helper {H5826}{H8802)}.

For he will rescue the needy when they cry, the poor too and those with none to help them.

For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.

For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper.

Commentary

Psalm 72:12 is a powerful declaration of the righteous king's (and ultimately, the Messiah's) commitment to justice and compassion, particularly for the most vulnerable in society. This verse is part of a larger prayer and prophetic vision for a king whose reign would be characterized by peace, prosperity, and unwavering care for the oppressed.

Context of Psalm 72:12

Psalm 72 is often attributed to Solomon and is a prayer for a just and righteous king. While it describes an ideal earthly monarch, its lofty aspirations and universal scope lead many commentators to interpret it as a profound messianic psalm, pointing to the future reign of Jesus Christ. The preceding verses establish the king's role in judging the people with righteousness and saving the children of the needy (Psalm 72:4). Verse 12 specifically highlights the king's active intervention on behalf of those who are most helpless, emphasizing his deep concern for the poor and oppressed.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Compassion and Justice: The verse showcases a monarch (or ultimately, God through Christ) who actively seeks out and responds to the cries of the suffering. It's not passive empathy, but active deliverance and a commitment to social justice.
  • Advocacy for the Vulnerable: The focus is specifically on "the needy," "the poor," and "him that hath no helper." This underscores God's special concern for those who are marginalized, destitute, and without human support or recourse.
  • Responsive Deliverance: The phrase "when he crieth" emphasizes that the king's help is prompt and responsive to genuine distress. It's a promise of immediate aid to those in desperate need, highlighting the king's attentiveness and readiness to save.
  • Messianic Hope: The perfect fulfillment of this promise is found in the reign of Jesus Christ, who came to proclaim good news to the poor and liberty to the captives (Luke 4:18). His kingdom is one where true justice and mercy prevail.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used emphasize the depth of destitution being addressed:

  • "Needy" ('evyon - ืึถื‘ึฐื™ื•ึนืŸ): Refers to one who is poor, destitute, and often dependent on others for survival, highlighting their economic vulnerability.
  • "Poor" (dal - ื“ึทึผืœ): Similar to needy, but can also imply weakness, meagerness, or low social standing, emphasizing their lack of power or influence.
  • "No helper" ('ein 'ozer lo - ืึตื™ืŸ ืขึนื–ึตืจ ืœื•ึน): Literally, "there is no helper to him," highlighting absolute helplessness and isolation. This phrase describes those who are utterly abandoned and without any human support system.

These terms collectively paint a vivid picture of extreme vulnerability, making the king's intervention all the more significant and compassionate.

Practical Application

Psalm 72:12 offers profound comfort and a clear call to action for believers today:

  • Comfort for the Oppressed: For those feeling helpless or forgotten, this verse offers the assurance that God, through His righteous King, hears their cries and will deliver them. It points to a divine advocate who understands and responds to their deepest needs.
  • Call to Compassion: It challenges believers to emulate the heart of this righteous King. As followers of Christ, we are called to be His hands and feet, actively seeking out and helping the needy, the poor, and those who have no helper in our communities, remembering Jesus' words about serving "the least of these" (Matthew 25:40).
  • Hope in Christ's Reign: Ultimately, this verse points to the future perfect reign of Christ, where all injustice will be righted, and true deliverance will be realized for all who cry out to Him. It provides hope for a world where compassion and justice will truly prevail.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Job 29:12 (12 votes)

    Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and [him that had] none to help him.

  • Psalms 102:17 (10 votes)

    He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.

  • Revelation 3:17 (10 votes)

    Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

  • Revelation 3:18 (10 votes)

    I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and [that] the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

  • Hebrews 7:25 (9 votes)

    Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

  • Psalms 10:17 (8 votes)

    LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

  • Ecclesiastes 4:1 (8 votes)

    ยถ So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of [such as were] oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors [there was] power; but they had no comforter.