Psalms 72
Psalm 72 is said to have been written by King Solomon, and it contains prayers and praises for one king, along with hopes for an ideal kingdom. This psalm is read not only as praise blessing the rule of a single king, but also as a heartfelt prayer longing for God’s justice and peace to fill the whole earth.
1verseBy Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.
2verseHe will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3verseThe mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
4verseHe will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.
5verseThey shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6verseHe will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.
7verseIn his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
8verseHe shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
9verseThose who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.
10verseThe kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11verseYes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.
12verseFor he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.
13verseHe will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.
14verseHe will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
15verseHe will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long.
16verseAbundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.
17verseHis name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.
18versePraise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
19verseBlessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.
20verseThis ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
Main Flow and Structure
- Verses 1–4: They reveal a plea for a king who rules with God’s justice and righteousness. The prayer asks that the king protect the weak and carry out fairness for the people.
- Verses 5–11: Hopes are expressed that this king’s reign will last long and bring peace, and that it will have influence throughout the world. It depicts the kings of various nations showing honor.
- Verses 12–14: It emphasizes that the king is one who rescues the powerless, orphans, and the poor. It shows that the true meaning of kingship lies in serving and protecting.
- Verses 15–17: A prayer is offered for the flourishing of the king and his nation, and for his name to endure forever. Blessing and gratitude are woven together.
- Verses 18–20: The entire psalm concludes with praise and prayer offered to God. This part also carries the meaning of a conclusion that closes the second book of Psalms.
Overall Meaning
Psalm 72 goes beyond the virtues of a single king and sings of the ideal of a true kingdom. Justice and righteousness, concern for the vulnerable, and peace and abundance resemble the kind of society we still hope for today. This psalm is also a prayer asking that God’s will be fully revealed among human kings and in the world.
Points to Ponder
- Consider what true values (justice, righteousness, protection of the vulnerable, etc.) you are hoping for in leaders and rulers.
- We can reflect on what kind of heart we use to pray that God’s will will be realized in our society.
- Look at how an ideal king serves the smallest and powerless people in society through the lens of the psalm.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In your own life, reflect on how you treat the vulnerable and those who lack strength.
- As you live a righteous and compassionate life, seek courage to empathize with someone’s pain and reach out.
- Think about ways you can practice God’s love and justice in the community you belong to (home, school, workplace, etc.).
