The Bible — World English Bible
Psalm 72
In brief
Psalm 72 is a prayer attributed to Solomon asking God to give the king his judgments and his righteousness. The ideal king does justice for the poor, saves the children of the needy and crushes the oppressor. His reign is compared to rain on mown grass, it brings peace and extends from sea to sea. All kings pay him homage, because he delivers the poor. Christians see in it an announcement of the reign of Christ.
The chapter in 5 parts
1God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.
2He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
3The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.
4He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.
5They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.
7In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.
8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.
9Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.
10The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.
12For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.
13He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.
14He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
15They shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. Men shall pray for him continually. They shall bless him all day long.
16Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.
17His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.
18Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
19Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.
20This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
Key verses
God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.
The psalm is first of all a prayer: the king can be just only if God gives him his judgments. Justice comes from him.
He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.
The king's mission is to bring justice to the afflicted. The test of good government is how it treats the weakest.
He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.
The just reign is compared to rain on mown ground, which gives new life. The image says that justice brings good to the whole land.
The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.
Foreign kings come to offer gifts and bow down. Christians have often connected this with Christ being recognized by the nations.
For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper. He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy. He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.
This king delivers the poor who cry out and values their blood. In God's eyes, the lives of the most fragile are of great worth.
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Frequently asked questions about Psalm 72
What does Psalm 72 mean?
Psalm 72 describes an ideal king who governs with God's justice. He defends the poor, brings peace and receives the homage of the nations. Originally it is a prayer for the king of Israel. Christians also see in it an announcement of the reign of Jesus, the perfect king who delivers the poor and the needy.
How can I pray or meditate on Psalm 72?
You can pray it for the leaders of your country, asking God to give them his justice, as in verse 1. Then pray for oppressed people you know, with verses 12 to 14. Finish by asking what you can concretely do for a poor or needy person this week.
Who wrote Psalm 72?
The title says of Solomon. The phrase can mean written by him or for him, that is, a prayer for the king. The last sentence of the psalm speaks of the end of the prayers of David, son of Jesse, which marks the end of the second book of Psalms.
Is Psalm 72 about Jesus?
Many Christians read in it an announcement of the Messiah: a righteous king, defender of the poor, whose reign reaches all nations. The New Testament does not apply this psalm point by point, but it takes up its themes. Originally it is addressed first to the king of Israel, and each tradition interprets it with its own nuances.
Articles quoting Psalm 72
World English Bible translation — public domain.