TRV
Translation
Berean Standard Bible
May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice.
American Standard Version
He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice.
World English Bible Messianic
He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Then shall he iudge thy people in righteousnesse, and thy poore with equitie.
Young's Literal Translation
He judgeth Thy people with righteousness, And Thy poor with judgment.
In the KJVVerse 15,003 of 31,102
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Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers . Public domain.
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Justin MartyrAD 165
Dialogue with Trypho, Chapter XXXIV
Further, to persuade you that you have not understood anything of the Scriptures, I will remind you of another psalm, dictated to David by the Holy Spirit, which you say refers to Solomon, who was also your king. But it refers also to our Christ. But you deceive yourselves by the ambiguous forms of speech. For where it is said, 'The law of the Lord is perfect,' you do not understand it of the law which was to be after Moses, but of the law which was given by Moses, although God declared that He would establish a new law and a new covenant. And where it has been said, 'O God, give Thy judgment to the king,' since Solomon was king, you say that the Psalm refers to him, although the words of the Psalm expressly proclaim that reference is made to the everlasting King, i.e., to Christ. For Christ is King, and Priest, and God, and Lord, and angel, and man, and captain, and stone, and a Son born, and first made subject to suffering, then returning to heaven, and again coming with glory, and He is preached as having the everlasting kingdom: so I prove from all the Scriptures.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 1:193
And I support this from Psalm 71 [LXX], which says, "Give to the king your judgment, O God; and your justice to the king's son, to judge your people with justice, and your poor with judgment." For clearly the psalm, which has been ascribed to Solomon, prophesies of Christ.
Eusebius of CaesareaAD 339
PROOF OF THE GOSPEL 7:3
As this psalm is addressed to Solomon, the first verse of the psalm must be referred to him, and all the rest to the son of Solomon, not Rehoboam, who was king of Israel after him, but him that was of his seed according to the flesh, the Christ of God; for all who are acquainted with the holy Scriptures will agree that it is impossible to connect what is said in this psalm with Solomon or his successors, because of what they reveal about Christ. No, how is it possible to apply to Solomon, or his son Rehoboam, the burden of the whole psalm?—for instance, “He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.” And “He shall remain as long as the sun, and before the moon for ever,” and other similar statements. Yet the words at the beginning of the psalm are at once seen to apply to Solomon, which say, “O God, you will give judgment to the king,” And the addition, “And your justice to the king’s son,” to the Son of Solomon, not his first-born who succeeded him in the kingdom (for he only ruled the Jewish nation seventeen years, being a wicked king), nor any of the successors of Rehoboam, but only to one of the seed of David, who could thus be called the son both of David and Solomon. And this is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For his kingdom and its throne will stand as long as the sun. And he alone of people, as the Word of God, existed before the moon and the creation of the world, and he alone came down like dew from heaven on all the earth; and it was said in our quotation a little above, that he had risen on all people and that his justice would remain even until the consummation of life, which is called the removal of the moon. And our Savior’s power is supreme from the eastern sea to the west, beginning its activity at the river, which is either the sacrament of baptism, or from Jordan, where he first appeared to benefit humankind. From that time his kingdom has spread and extended through the whole world.
Augustine of HippoAD 430
Exposition on Psalm 72
Next there follows, "To judge Your people in justice, and Your poor in judgment" [Psalm 72:2]. For what purpose the royal Father gave to the royal Son His judgment and His justice is sufficiently shown when he says, "To judge Your people in justice;" that is, for the purpose of judging Your people. Such an idiom is found in Salomon: "The Proverbs of Salomon, son of David, to know wisdom and discipline:" [Proverbs 1:1] that is, the Proverbs of Salomon, for the purpose of knowing wisdom and discipline. So, "Your judgment give Thou, to judge Your people:" that is, "Your judgment" give Thou for the purpose of judging Your people. But that which he says before in, "Your people," the same he says afterwards in, "Your poor:" and that which he says before in, "in justice;" the same afterward in, "in judgment:" according to that manner of repetition. Whereby indeed he shows, that the people of God ought to be poor, that is, not proud, but humble. For, "blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven." [Matthew 5:3] In which poverty even blessed Job was poor even before he had lost those great earthly riches. Which thing for this reason I thought should be mentioned, because there are certain persons who are more ready to distribute all their goods to the poor, than themselves to become the poor of God. For they are puffed up with boasting wherein they think their living well should be ascribed to themselves, not to the grace of God: and therefore now they do not even live well, however great the good works which they seem to do....
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
Psalm 72:2 articulates a fundamental characteristic of the ideal king, whether an earthly monarch or, more profoundly, the promised Messiah. It declares that this king will govern God's people with absolute righteousness and administer justice specifically for the poor and vulnerable. This verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, which envisions a reign marked by integrity, equity, and a deep concern for the marginalized, establishing a divine standard for governance that finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Psalm 72:2 effectively employs Parallelism, specifically a form of Synonymous Parallelism, where the second clause reiterates and amplifies the meaning of the first. "He shall judge thy people with righteousness" is echoed and made more specific by "and thy poor with judgment." This structure serves to emphasize the king's unwavering commitment to justice, particularly highlighting the vulnerable as the direct recipients of this righteous rule. The repetition reinforces the core message of the king's character and mission. Furthermore, the use of the possessive "thy" in "thy people" and "thy poor" creates a sense of divine ownership and intimate care, implicitly linking the king's actions to God's own character and will, thereby elevating the Royal Ideal to a divine standard of governance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalm 72:2 profoundly articulates God's heart for justice and His expectation for those in authority. It reveals that true righteousness in governance is inextricably linked to the active pursuit of equity, especially for the most vulnerable members of society. This is not merely a human ideal, but a reflection of God's own character as a righteous judge and defender of the oppressed. The verse serves as a powerful reminder that the well-being of the poor and marginalized is a litmus test for the integrity of any leader or society. It connects to the broader biblical narrative of covenant faithfulness, where justice and righteousness are foundational to a thriving relationship with God and a flourishing community.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalm 72:2 stands as a timeless challenge and inspiration for all who hold positions of influence, whether in government, business, community, or the church. It calls leaders to embody integrity, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to justice, particularly for those who lack power or resources. For individuals, this verse reinforces the biblical truth that God cares deeply about the oppressed and marginalized, urging us to reflect His divine concern in our own lives. This means actively advocating for the vulnerable, working towards systemic justice, and ensuring that our personal and communal actions uplift those on the fringes. It reminds us that our faith is not merely private piety but has profound implications for how we engage with the world and seek to build a society that mirrors God's righteous character and brings about His kingdom values.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What is the significance of the king judging "thy poor" specifically?
Answer: The specific mention of "thy poor" is highly significant because it highlights God's consistent and profound concern for the most vulnerable members of society throughout Scripture. In ancient Israel, the poor, widows, orphans, and sojourners were often without legal recourse or social standing, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation and injustice. A king who actively ensures "judgment" (justice and vindication) for them demonstrates true righteousness and reflects God's own character as a defender of the defenseless (Psalm 140:12). It serves as a litmus test for the moral integrity of a ruler and the health of a nation, indicating that genuine justice is not merely abstract but is concretely applied to those who need it most.
How does this verse relate to the broader concept of "justice" in the Bible?
Answer: This verse perfectly encapsulates the comprehensive biblical understanding of "justice" (mishpâṭ and tsedeq). It's not merely about punitive measures or legalistic adherence to rules, but about establishing and maintaining right relationships, restoring what is broken, and ensuring fairness and equity for all, especially the disadvantaged. God's justice is both retributive (punishing wrongdoing) and restorative (setting things right, vindicating the oppressed). Here, the king's role is to be God's agent in upholding this holistic justice, ensuring that the marginalized receive their due rights and are protected from oppression. This aligns with prophetic calls for justice, such as those found in Amos 5:24 and Micah 6:8.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalm 72:2 finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords. While the psalm initially describes an ideal earthly monarch, its aspirations for perfect righteousness and universal justice transcend any human ruler, pointing directly to the Messiah. Jesus, in His first advent, inaugurated a kingdom characterized by radical righteousness and a profound concern for the poor and marginalized. He declared His mission to bring good news to the poor and set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18-19), consistently demonstrating this through His teachings and actions, healing the sick, feeding the hungry, and advocating for the outcast. His life was the embodiment of a ruler who judges with perfect righteousness and vindicates the poor with absolute justice. In His second coming, Christ will fully establish this reign, judging the nations with perfect equity and bringing about a new heaven and new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 19:11; Matthew 25:31-46). The vision of Psalms 72:2 is not merely a historical ideal but a living promise, realized in the person of Jesus, the true Son of David, whose kingdom is one of everlasting peace, justice, and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7).