Psalms 72:12

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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)}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 72:12 presents a profound declaration of the righteous king's commitment to active justice and compassionate deliverance for the most vulnerable members of society. This verse, embedded within a prophetic prayer for an ideal monarch, highlights a ruler who not only hears the desperate cries of the needy, the poor, and the utterly helpless but also swiftly intervenes to provide rescue and support. It encapsulates a vision of governance characterized by unwavering care for the marginalized, anticipating a perfect reign where the oppressed find their ultimate advocate and deliverer.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, often attributed to Solomon, serving as a prayer for and a prophetic vision of a just and righteous king. The preceding verses establish the king's mandate to "judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment" ([Psalms 72:2](/psalms/72-2 "Psalms 72:2 - A Prayer for a Just King")). The psalm describes an ideal reign marked by peace, prosperity, and universal dominion, extending from "sea to sea" ([Psalms 72:8](/psalms/72-8 "Psalms 72:8 - The King's Dominion")). Verse 12 specifically amplifies the king's active and personal involvement in the welfare of the most disenfranchised, building upon the theme introduced in [Psalms 72:4](/psalms/72-4 "Psalms 72:4 - Defending the Needy") where the king is depicted as saving "the children of the needy" and crushing "the oppressor." This verse sets the stage for the king's redemptive work, which continues in [Psalms 72:13-14](/psalms/72-13 "Psalms 72:13-14 - Compassion and Redemption") where he is said to "spare the poor and needy" and "redeem their soul from deceit and violence."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, kings were often seen as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic and social order. However, many earthly rulers were characterized by oppression and self-interest. Psalm 72, therefore, presents an aspirational ideal of kingship, rooted in the covenantal expectations of Israel. Unlike the often ruthless monarchs of surrounding nations, Israel's king was meant to embody God's own character of justice and compassion, particularly towards the vulnerable. The "needy," "poor," and "him that hath no helper" represented the most marginalized groups in society—widows, orphans, sojourners, and the economically destitute—whose well-being was a direct indicator of a society's righteousness and a ruler's faithfulness to God's law. This ideal king would actively counter the prevailing injustices, reflecting the divine concern for the downtrodden articulated throughout the Torah and prophetic literature.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes within Psalm 72 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Righteous Kingship**, portraying a monarch whose authority is exercised not for personal gain but for the welfare of the most vulnerable, reflecting divine attributes. Secondly, it highlights **Divine Justice and Compassion**, demonstrating that true justice extends beyond mere legal pronouncements to active intervention on behalf of the oppressed. The king's responsiveness to the "cry" of the needy emphasizes a profound empathy that mirrors God's own attentiveness to His people's suffering. Thirdly, the verse reinforces the theme of **Advocacy for the Vulnerable**, identifying specific groups—the needy, the poor, and the helpless—as recipients of the king's special care, thereby establishing a biblical precedent for prioritizing the marginalized. Finally, the lofty and often unattainable nature of this ideal earthly reign strongly points to a **Messianic Expectation**, suggesting that only a perfect, divine King could fully embody such comprehensive justice and compassion, a theme that resonates throughout the prophetic books concerning the coming Messiah.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Needy (Hebrew, _'evyon'_ אֶבְיוֹן):** This term refers to someone who is economically destitute, impoverished, and often dependent on others for survival. It emphasizes a state of material deprivation and vulnerability, highlighting a person's inability to provide for themselves due to circumstances beyond their control. The 'evyon is not merely poor but often a recipient of charity or in a position of humble dependence.
* **Poor (Hebrew, _dal_ דַּל):** While similar to 'evyon, _dal_ often carries the connotation of weakness, meagerness, or low social standing. It can describe someone who is physically weak, socially insignificant, or lacking power and influence. This term emphasizes a broader sense of vulnerability, extending beyond just economic hardship to include social and physical fragility.
* **No helper (Hebrew, _'ein 'ozer lo'_ אֵין עֹזֵר לוֹ):** This phrase literally means "there is no helper to him" or "he has no one to help him." It vividly describes a state of absolute isolation, abandonment, and utter helplessness. This individual is without any human support system, advocate, or means of self-deliverance, making their plight particularly desperate and their need for external intervention profound.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth;":** This clause establishes the king's active and responsive role. The conjunction "For" connects this action to the king's righteous reign described previously. "Deliver" (יַצִּיל, _yaṣṣîl_) implies rescue, salvation, or snatching away from danger. The phrase "when he crieth" is crucial, indicating that the king's intervention is not arbitrary but a direct, compassionate response to the desperate plea of the vulnerable. It suggests an attentive ear and a prompt, decisive action in times of acute distress.
* **"the poor also, and [him] that hath no helper.":** This second clause expands the scope of the king's compassion and protection. By adding "the poor also" (referencing _dal_) and "him that hath no helper," the verse emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the king's care. It ensures that no category of the vulnerable is overlooked—from those suffering economic hardship to those who are socially weak, and especially those who are utterly abandoned and without any human recourse. This highlights the king's commitment to the most marginalized and forgotten segments of society.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Parallelism** is evident in the listing of "the needy," "the poor," and "him that hath no helper," which creates a cumulative effect, emphasizing the breadth and depth of human vulnerability the king addresses. This specific form of parallelism is often called **synonymous parallelism**, where similar ideas are expressed in different phrases, reinforcing the core concept of the king's care for the downtrodden. Furthermore, the phrase "when he crieth" introduces a vivid **Imagery** of a desperate plea, appealing to the reader's empathy and highlighting the king's responsive nature. The king's immediate and comprehensive deliverance of such a wide array of the helpless can also be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an intentional exaggeration to underscore the ideal and perfect nature of this king's reign, pointing beyond any earthly monarch to a divine standard of justice and compassion.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly reveals God's character as the ultimate defender and advocate for the oppressed. It articulates a divine mandate for justice that prioritizes the most vulnerable, demonstrating that true righteousness is inextricably linked to active compassion. The king's role as deliverer of the needy, poor, and helpless reflects God's own heart, which consistently champions those who cannot defend themselves. This principle is woven throughout the Old Testament, where care for the marginalized is not merely an ethical suggestion but a core expression of covenant faithfulness and a reflection of God's very nature. The "cry" of the afflicted is always heard by God, and He raises up deliverers, whether judges, prophets, or ultimately, the Messiah, to respond to that cry.

* [Deuteronomy 15:7-11](/deuteronomy/15-7 "Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - Lending to the Poor")
* [Proverbs 31:8-9](/proverbs/31-8 "Proverbs 31:8-9 - Speak for the Voiceless")
* [Isaiah 61:1-3](/isaiah/61-1 "Isaiah 61:1-3 - The Anointed One's Mission")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 72:12 offers immense comfort to those who feel overlooked, forgotten, or utterly helpless in their struggles. It assures us that there is a King who hears the silent cries and desperate pleas of the heart, a King whose compassion is not passive but actively seeks to deliver and restore. For believers, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the heart of God for the marginalized and a clear call to action. As followers of this righteous King, we are commissioned to embody His compassion in our own lives and communities. This means actively seeking out the needy, the poor, and those who have no helper, lending our voices, resources, and time to advocate for and serve them. It challenges us to move beyond mere sympathy to tangible acts of justice and mercy, recognizing that our service to "the least of these" is service to Christ Himself. This verse instills hope that ultimately, in Christ's perfect reign, all injustices will be righted, and true deliverance will be realized for all who cry out to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the king's immediate response to the "cry" of the needy challenge our own readiness to help those in distress?**
* **In what ways can we, as individuals and as a community of faith, identify and actively support "the needy," "the poor," and "him that hath no helper" in our spheres of influence?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the character of God, and how should that understanding shape our prayers and actions?**

### FAQ

**Is Psalm 72:12 primarily about an earthly king or the Messiah?**

Answer: Psalm 72:12, like the entire Psalm, operates on a dual level of meaning. While it initially describes the ideal qualities and reign of an earthly king (traditionally Solomon), its aspirations are so lofty and its scope so universal that it ultimately points beyond any human monarch to the perfect, righteous reign of the Messiah. No earthly king could perfectly fulfill the comprehensive justice and compassion described here. Therefore, while it sets a standard for human leadership, its ultimate and complete fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, the true Messianic King.

**What does the phrase "when he crieth" imply about the king's intervention?**

Answer: The phrase "when he crieth" signifies several important aspects of the king's intervention. Firstly, it implies urgency and desperation on the part of the needy; their cry is a desperate plea for help, often their last resort. Secondly, it highlights the king's attentiveness and responsiveness; he is not aloof but actively listens for and responds to the distress signals of his people. It suggests a personal, compassionate engagement rather than a bureaucratic or impersonal aid system. This immediate response underscores the king's deep empathy and commitment to swift deliverance.

**How does this verse relate to contemporary discussions about social justice and care for the marginalized?**

Answer: Psalm 72:12 provides a foundational biblical principle for Christian engagement in social justice. It establishes that care for the needy, the poor, and the helpless is not merely an optional charitable act but an intrinsic characteristic of righteous governance and a reflection of God's own heart. For believers, it serves as a divine mandate to advocate for and actively serve those who are marginalized and oppressed in society today. It calls us to be voices for the voiceless, to challenge systemic injustices, and to work towards creating communities where the vulnerable are protected and empowered, mirroring the compassionate reign of the ideal King.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 72:12 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the psalm describes an ideal earthly king, no human monarch could ever fully embody such comprehensive justice, compassion, and universal deliverance. Jesus, the true Messianic King, perfectly fulfills this prophetic vision. His earthly ministry was marked by an unwavering commitment to the poor, the sick, the outcast, and those who had no helper. He came to "proclaim good news to the poor... to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed" ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Mission Statement")), directly echoing the heart of this psalm. He not only heard the cries of the needy but actively sought them out, touching lepers, healing the lame, and feeding the hungry, demonstrating His divine power to deliver. Furthermore, Jesus identifies Himself with the "least of these" ([Matthew 25:40](/matthew/25-40 "Matthew 25:40 - Serving the Least of These")), teaching His followers that service to the most vulnerable is service to Him. His ultimate act of deliverance on the cross, where He became poor to make us rich ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")), provides the spiritual and eternal rescue for all who cry out to Him in their helplessness. His future reign will bring about a perfect world where every tear is wiped away and there is no more suffering or injustice ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Tears or Pain")), fully realizing the compassionate and just kingdom envisioned in Psalms 72.

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.

Cross-References

Job 29:12

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

Psalms 102:17

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

Revelation 3:17

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

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

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

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

Ecclesiastes 4:1

¶ 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.