Psalm Seventy Two
by Dr. Henry M. Morris
(taken from the Defender's Study Bible)
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 72:5 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.
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.
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 72:13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
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.).
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.
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.