Psalm 72
Psalm 72 is a royal psalm attributed to Solomon. It expresses a prayer for the king, asking that God grant him wisdom, justice, and prosperity. The psalm reflects hopes for a righteous reign, where the king defends the poor, brings peace, and rules over a prosperous land. It also carries Messianic undertones, pointing to an ideal reign that foreshadows Christ’s kingdom, where justice and righteousness prevail.
Psalm 72:1-10 (NKJV)
1 Give the king Your judgments, O God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s Son.
2 He will judge Your people with righteousness,
And Your poor with justice.
3 The mountains will bring peace to the people,
And the little hills, by righteousness.
4 He will bring justice to the poor of the people;
He will save the children of the needy,
And will break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear You
As long as the sun and moon endure,
Throughout all generations.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the grass before mowing,
Like showers that water the earth.
7 In His days the righteous shall flourish,
And abundance of peace,
Until the moon is no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea,
And from the River to the ends of the earth.
9 Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him,
And His enemies will lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles
Will bring presents;
The kings of Sheba and Seba
Will offer gifts.
The psalm opens by requesting God’s wisdom for the king so that he can judge with righteousness. It anticipates a reign marked by justice, where the poor and needy receive protection. Peace and prosperity are described as flowing like water over the land. The psalm envisions a universal reign, where distant kings and nations recognize the authority of the king by offering gifts. This imagery of an enduring, righteous reign points beyond Solomon’s reign to the Messiah, whose kingdom brings everlasting peace and justice.
Psalm 72:11-15 (NKJV)
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him;
All nations shall serve Him.
12 For He will deliver the needy when he cries,
The poor also, and him who has no helper.
13 He will spare the poor and needy,
And will save the souls of the needy.
14 He will redeem their life from oppression and violence;
And precious shall be their blood in His sight.
15 And He shall live;
And the gold of Sheba will be given to Him;
Prayer also will be made for Him continually,
And daily He shall be praised.
This section emphasizes the king’s compassion and care for the needy, delivering them from oppression and valuing their lives. It reflects God’s character, highlighting that true leadership involves defending the weak. The reference to other kings bowing down signifies an ideal, global reign. The continual praise and prayers offered on behalf of the king reflect a harmonious relationship between the ruler and the people, underscoring the blessings that come from righteous leadership.
Psalm 72:16-20 (NKJV)
16 There will be an abundance of grain in the earth,
On the top of the mountains;
Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon;
And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17 His name shall endure forever;
His name shall continue as long as the sun.
And men shall be blessed in Him;
All nations shall call Him blessed.
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who only does wondrous things!
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever!
And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.
Amen and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
This final section emphasizes prosperity, with imagery of abundant harvests and flourishing cities. It speaks of the king’s name enduring forever, pointing prophetically to the reign of Christ, in whom all nations will be blessed. The psalm concludes with praise to God, acknowledging that only God can bring such a perfect kingdom. The closing verses reflect the desire for God’s glory to fill the earth, culminating in a final ‘Amen.’ Although the psalm is attributed to Solomon, the reference to David’s prayers suggests it is connected to the hopes of David’s dynasty being fulfilled in the Messiah.