Categories: Psalms

Psalm 72

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Give the King Your Justice

Of Solomon.

72   Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to the royal son!
  May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the children of the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!
  May they fear you while the sun endures,
    and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
    like showers that water the earth!
  In his days may the righteous flourish,
    and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
  May he have dominion from sea to sea,
    and from the River to the ends of the earth!
  May desert tribes bow down before him,
    and his enemies lick the dust!
  May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
    render him tribute;
  may the kings of Sheba and Seba
    bring gifts!
  May all kings fall down before him,
    all nations serve him!
  For he delivers the needy when he calls,
    the poor and him who has no helper.
  He has pity on the weak and the needy,
    and saves the lives of the needy.
  From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
    and precious is their blood in his sight.
  Long may he live;
    may gold of Sheba be given to him!
  May prayer be made for him continually,
    and blessings invoked for him all the day!
  May there be abundance of grain in the land;
    on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
    may its fruit be like Lebanon;
  and may people blossom in the cities
    like the grass of the field!
  May his name endure forever,
    his fame continue as long as the sun!
  May people be blessed in him,
    all nations call him blessed!
  Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    who alone does wondrous things.
  Blessed be his glorious name forever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
      Amen and Amen!
  The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.

(ESV)

Psalm 72 Commentary

by Brad Boyles

Psalm 72 is considered a royal psalm and coronation hymn. It presents the job description of the King in song form. Modern-day readers are tempted to gloss over the details and view the writing as purely historical. However, as always, there is practicality to be found in the Scriptures.

The psalm’s description and expectation of a human king are highly idealized. Just look at how high the bar is set.

All kings will bow down before him; all nations will serve him. 12 He rescues the poor who call to him, and those who are needy and neglected. 13 He has pity on the weak and poor; he saves the lives of those in need. 14 He rescues them from oppression and violence; their lives are precious to him.

Psalms 72:11-14 GNB

Let’s be honest, the kings we read about in Kings and Chronicles are extremely disappointing compared to the narrative found here! Under the united kingdom, David was really the only king who was consistently dedicated to the Lord. After the kingdoms split, it got even worse.

It is fitting, then, that we could consider this psalm prophetic. It looks forward to a time when depraved human kings no longer rule and a Messianic King brings hope and deliverance. Jesus is the king of Psalm 72. Read these four verses again with Jesus in mind…

All kings will bow down before him; all nations will serve him. 12 He rescues the poor who call to him, and those who are needy and neglected. 13 He has pity on the weak and poor; he saves the lives of those in need. 14 He rescues them from oppression and violence; their lives are precious to him.

Psalms 72:11-14 GNB

A ruler. A rescuer. A Redeemer. This is our Savior – the true and living King.

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