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Psalms 72:4

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He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

He shall judge {H8199}{H8799)} the poor {H6041} of the people {H5971}, he shall save {H3467}{H8686)} the children {H1121} of the needy {H34}, and shall break in pieces {H1792}{H8762)} the oppressor {H6231}{H8802)}.

May he defend the oppressed among the people, save the needy and crush the oppressor.

May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor.

He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.

Commentary

Context of Psalms 72:4

Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, often attributed to Solomon or written about his reign, yet it carries strong messianic overtones, pointing beyond any earthly king to the perfect rule of the Messiah. This verse is part of a prayer or prophetic declaration for a king's reign, emphasizing his role as a righteous and just ruler. The entire psalm paints a picture of an ideal kingdom characterized by peace, prosperity, and, most notably, profound justice for the vulnerable.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Justice and Righteousness: The core message is the king's commitment to impartial justice. "He shall judge the poor of the people" signifies that the king's judgment is not for the powerful or the elite, but specifically directed towards ensuring fairness for those often overlooked or exploited. This reflects God's own character as a righteous judge.
  • Advocacy for the Vulnerable: The verse highlights active protection for the marginalized: "he shall save the children of the needy." This speaks to a compassionate governance that intervenes on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, echoing a central theme throughout biblical law and prophecy regarding social responsibility.
  • Defeat of Oppression: The phrase "and shall break in pieces the oppressor" demonstrates the king's strength and resolve in dismantling systems or individuals that exploit and abuse. It promises a decisive end to tyranny and injustice, ensuring peace through the elimination of its disruptors. This aspect of the king's rule is crucial for establishing lasting peace and security for all, particularly the weak.
  • Messianic Vision: Ultimately, this psalm's aspirations for a perfectly just and compassionate ruler find their ultimate fulfillment in the reign of Jesus Christ. He is the true King who perfectly embodies these qualities, coming to establish a kingdom of righteousness, where the poor are blessed and the oppressed are set free, as foretold in passages like Luke 4:18-19.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "judge" (din) implies more than just rendering verdicts; it encompasses the active role of governing, defending, and administering justice, particularly on behalf of the wronged.
  • "Poor" (dal) and "needy" ('evyon) are terms that emphasize not just economic poverty, but also vulnerability and helplessness, often due to social or economic disadvantage.
  • The "oppressor" ('ashaq) refers to one who extorts, defrauds, or unjustly treats others, often through violence or abuse of power. The strong imagery of "breaking in pieces" signifies a complete and decisive defeat of such forces.

Practical Application

This verse offers profound insights for believers today:

  • Emulate God's Heart for Justice: It calls us to reflect God's character by actively seeking justice and advocating for the poor and marginalized in our own communities. We are to be voices for the voiceless, just as the ideal king is.
  • Hope in Christ's Reign: It reminds us that while human systems of justice are imperfect, we have ultimate hope in the coming perfect reign of Jesus Christ. His kingdom will be characterized by absolute justice, where all wrongs are righted and the vulnerable are fully protected.
  • Challenge to Oppression: The verse encourages us to stand against all forms of oppression, whether systemic or individual. It affirms that God is against those who exploit others and that His ultimate plan involves their defeat.

Psalms 72:4 serves as a powerful declaration of God's heart for justice and a prophetic glimpse into the righteous and compassionate rule of the Messiah, who champions the cause of the weak and defeats the forces of injustice.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 11:4 (7 votes)

    But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.

  • Ezekiel 34:15 (5 votes)

    I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Ezekiel 34:16 (5 votes)

    I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up [that which was] broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed them with judgment.

  • Zechariah 9:8 (4 votes)

    And I will encamp about mine house because of the army, because of him that passeth by, and because of him that returneth: and no oppressor shall pass through them any more: for now have I seen with mine eyes.

  • Zechariah 9:10 (4 votes)

    And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem, and the battle bow shall be cut off: and he shall speak peace unto the heathen: and his dominion [shall be] from sea [even] to sea, and from the river [even] to the ends of the earth.

  • Psalms 109:31 (4 votes)

    For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save [him] from those that condemn his soul.

  • Isaiah 51:12 (3 votes)

    I, [even] I, [am] he that comforteth you: who [art] thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man [that] shall die, and of the son of man [which] shall be made [as] grass;