1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
17 His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued 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 doeth wondrous things.
19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
Psalm 72, in the King James Version of the Holy Bible, is a royal psalm, a prayer for the king. It is traditionally attributed to King Solomon, although some scholars suggest it might have been written for him. This psalm is unique as it is not just a prayer for the present king but also a prophecy for the ideal future king. It is a plea for justice, prosperity, longevity, and influence for the king, and through him, for the people he governs.
Psalm 72 begins with a prayer for the king, asking God to give the king His judgments and righteousness. This plea is not only for the king to be righteous but also for him to exercise righteous judgment on behalf of the people, particularly the poor and oppressed. This theme of justice, especially for the underprivileged, is a recurring motif in this psalm.
This psalm also serves as a prophecy. The king is not only prayed for but also spoken about in future tense. He is described as one who will deliver the needy, the poor, and those who have no helper. He will be a protector and a provider, one who will ensure peace and prosperity. This prophetic aspect of the psalm points towards an ideal king, one who embodies the virtues of justice, compassion, and righteousness.
The psalmist prays for the king's influence to be extensive, "from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth" (Psalm 72:8). This is a plea for the king's reign to be widespread, covering all nations and peoples. The psalmist also asks for the king's enemies to submit to him and for distant kings to bring gifts and pay tribute.
Along with the king's influence, the psalmist also prays for prosperity. He asks for abundant harvests, for the city to flourish, and for the righteous to prosper. This prosperity is not just for the king's wealth but also for the welfare of the people. It is a prayer for economic well-being, for a society where everyone benefits from the prosperity brought by the king's righteous rule.
The psalmist prays for the king's long life, asking for him to endure as long as the sun and moon. This is a plea for stability, for a long and prosperous reign. The psalmist also asks for the king to be remembered and praised throughout generations, for his name to endure forever.
The psalm concludes with a doxology, a hymn of praise to God. The psalmist declares, "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen" (Psalm 72:18-19). This is a fitting conclusion, recognizing that the king's righteousness, prosperity, and influence ultimately come from God.
On a deeper level, Psalm 72 can be seen as a messianic prophecy, pointing towards Jesus Christ. The ideal king described in this psalm embodies the characteristics of Christ, who is often referred to as the King of Kings. Christ is depicted as a righteous judge, a protector of the poor, and a bringer of peace and prosperity.
The psalmist's prayer for the king's influence to extend to the ends of the earth can be seen as a foreshadowing of the Great Commission, Christ's command to his disciples to spread the gospel to all nations. The prayer for the king's longevity can be seen as a prophecy of Christ's eternal reign.
Thus, Psalm 72 is not just a prayer for a king but also a prophecy of the coming Messiah. It is a psalm that speaks to the heart of God's plan for humanity, for a world ruled by a righteous and compassionate king.
In conclusion, Psalm 72 is a royal psalm, a prayer for the king and a prophecy for the ideal future king. It is a plea for justice, prosperity, longevity, and influence for the king, and through him, for the people he governs. It is a psalm that points towards Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, the righteous and compassionate ruler of all. It is a psalm that speaks to the heart of God's plan for humanity.
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