Psalm Seventy Two

by Dr. Henry M. Morris

(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)

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A Psalm for Solomon.

This psalm, like Psalm 2, does not list David as author in its heading, but its final verse confirms the Davidic authorship.

Psalm 72:1 Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

the king's son. This psalm was evidently written by David partially for his son (the superscript calls it “A Psalm for Solomon”), but its scope goes far beyond Solomon, applying fully only to the coming Messiah in accord with God's promise to David for Solomon (2 Samuel 7:12-16).

Psalm 72:2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

Psalm 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

Psalm 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

Psalm 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

Psalm 72:6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

Psalm 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

Psalm 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

the ends of the earth. This is a Messianic psalm, speaking of the global kingdom of Christ when he comes again. Note also Psalm 72:11.

Psalm 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

Psalm 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

the kings of Tarshish. Sheba and Seba, as well as Tarshish, are listed as among the nations that will serve the Lord in the kingdom age. Tarshish was far to the west, Sheba and Seba to the south, and thus are listed as tokens of the distant nations that will honor Christ as King in that day, even though their domains will have different names then than when David wrote.

Psalm 72:11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

Psalm 72:12 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

Psalm 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

Psalm 72:14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

Psalm 72:15 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.

Psalm 72:16 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.

handful of corn. This is a metaphor for the small remnant of faithful Israel which will survive into the kingdom age and soon become the leading nation in the world, flourishing “like grass of the earth” (Isaiah 62:1-12; Zechariah 14:16-17; etc.).

Psalm 72:17 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.

as long as the sun. The everlasting ministry of the sun is assured here, as well as the eternal name of its Creator and Redeemer.

Psalm 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

Psalm 72:19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

blessed be his glorious name. This doxology concludes Book II of the Psalms, which began at Psalm 42. See the Introduction to the Book of Psalms.

Psalm 72:20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.