Psalm 72: The Justice and Peace of the Promised Kingdom

Psalm 72 is one of the most inspiring texts in the Book of Psalms. From the very first verses it offers a prophetic vision of an ideal kingdom in which justice, peace, and prosperity prevail. It is believed to have been written by Solomon or in his honor, and many scholars view this song as an anticipation of the Messianic reign.

With rich, symbolic language, Psalm 72 invites us to reflect on the values of a government grounded in fairness, care for the needy, and divine blessing. Let’s explore in greater depth the meanings, messages, and applications of this extraordinary psalm.

Psalm 72 Complete

¹ O God, give the king Your judgments, and Your righteousness to the king’s son.
² He will judge Your people with justice and Your poor with equity.
³ The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the hills, righteousness.
⁴ He will judge the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor.
⁵ They shall fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.
⁶ He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.

⁷ In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, till the moon is no more.
⁸ He shall rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
⁹ Those who dwell in the desert shall bow before Him, and His enemies shall lick the dust.
¹⁰ The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
¹¹ Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.
¹² For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the afflicted also, and the one with no helper.

¹³ He will have compassion on the poor and the needy and will save the lives of the needy.
¹⁴ He will redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and precious shall their blood be in His sight.
¹⁵ And He shall live, and to Him shall be given gold from Sheba; prayer will be offered for Him continually, and daily He shall be blessed.
¹⁶ There shall be an abundance of grain in the land on the tops of the mountains; its fruit shall sway like Lebanon, and those of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.

¹⁷ His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue 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 alone does wondrous things.
¹⁹ And blessed be His glorious name forever; 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 Explained Verse by Verse

Psalm 72:1

“O God, give the king Your judgments, and Your righteousness to the king’s son.”
The psalmist begins with a prayer that God would grant the king wisdom and a sense of justice, so the ruler judges according to divine principles rather than merely human criteria.

Psalm 72:2

“He will judge Your people with justice and Your poor with equity.”
This verse highlights the king’s commitment to fairness, especially toward the poor. His leadership is marked by equity and protection of the most vulnerable.

Psalm 72:3

“The mountains will bring peace to the people, and the hills, righteousness.”
Nature is used here as a symbol of the stability and peace that arise when justice prevails. The king’s righteousness spreads blessing across the land.

Psalm 72:4

“He will judge the afflicted of the people, save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor.”
The king’s role is measured by his care for the afflicted. He protects those who suffer and confronts oppressors—leadership actively directed toward the common good.

Psalm 72:5

“They shall fear You while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.”
This verse points to the continuity of reverence for God as long as the king governs with justice. Respect for the Lord will endure from generation to generation under such a reign.

Psalm 72:6

“He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.”
The image of rain represents renewal, blessing, and fertility. The just king’s actions bring relief, healing, and new life to the people.

Psalm 72:7

“In His days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, till the moon is no more.”
The time of this reign will be marked by the flourishing of justice and lasting peace. The righteous will prosper under his leadership.

Psalm 72:8

“He shall rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”
This vast dominion reinforces the idea of a universal reign extending over the whole earth—many see here a reference to the Messiah’s kingdom.

Psalm 72:9

“Those who dwell in the desert shall bow before Him, and His enemies shall lick the dust.”
Even the most remote peoples will submit to the king. His enemies will be defeated and acknowledge His authority.

Psalm 72:10

“The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.”
Distant nations will send tributes in respect—an international acknowledgement of the value and authority of the just king.

Psalm 72:11

“Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him.”
This verse widens the picture of global rule: the king will be revered everywhere in the world.

Psalm 72:12

“For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the afflicted also, and the one with no helper.”
The king does not ignore cries for help. He responds with aid to the needy and lonely, showing sensitivity and compassion.

Psalm 72:13

“He will have compassion on the poor and the needy and will save the lives of the needy.”
Compassion is one of this ruler’s strongest traits. He not only listens but acts to save lives and ease suffering.

Psalm 72:14

“He will redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and precious shall their blood be in His sight.”
The king values every human life. He protects against injustice and violence, for he sees the blood of the innocent as sacred.

Psalm 72:15

“And He shall live, and to Him shall be given gold from Sheba; prayer will be offered for Him continually, and daily He shall be blessed.”
This verse shows the king will be honored with gifts and remembered in prayers. He will receive ongoing recognition and blessings for his justice.

Psalm 72:16

“There shall be an abundance of grain in the land on the tops of the mountains; its fruit shall sway like Lebanon, and those of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.”
Even the least likely places will enjoy abundance. Prosperity will be so great that the mountains—normally infertile—will produce grain, an image of widespread plenty.

Psalm 72:17

“His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in Him; all nations shall call Him blessed.”
The fame and influence of the righteous king will be everlasting. His name will be remembered and passed on, and He will be a source of blessing to all nations.

Psalm 72:18

“Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.”
The focus shifts back to God, the true author of all the wonders described. Praise is given to Him, who enables the king to act justly.

Psalm 72:19

“And blessed be His glorious name forever; let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.”
This expresses a desire that God’s glory fill the earth. The worship is complete, comprehensive, and eternal—the double “Amen” underscores the affirmation of this blessing.

Psalm 72:20

“The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.”
This closing serves as an editorial note marking the end of a section of the Psalter attributed to David, even though this particular psalm is also associated with Solomon.

The Context of Psalm 72

Psalm 72 closes the second book of Psalms and is often attributed to Solomon. Unlike many psalms that express personal laments or petitions, this text is a prayer for a righteous king, reflecting lofty ideals of leadership and governance.

A Royal and Prophetic Psalm

Though clearly royal in tone, exalting the role of an ideal king, Psalm 72 is also considered prophetic, pointing to an eternal and universal kingdom that many interpret as a reference to the Messiah. This makes the psalm significant both historically and spiritually.

The Influence of David

Some Bible versions indicate this psalm is “of Solomon,” while others suggest David wrote it for his son. Whatever its authorship, David’s spirit of pleading for justice and mercy permeates every verse.

The Central Themes of Psalm 72

Justice for All

One of the chief cries of Psalm 72 is for justice. The psalmist asks that the king judge righteously and defend the poor, underscoring the importance of impartiality and protection of the vulnerable as pillars of a just government.

Prosperity and Lasting Peace

Another strong theme in Psalm 72 is prosperity. The text mentions abundant harvests, peaceful borders, and harmony among peoples, showing that where justice prevails, the land flourishes, relationships strengthen, and peace becomes reality.

A Caring Government

The psalm portrays the king as one who rescues the needy, saves the poor, and frees the oppressed. Compassionate leadership is at the heart of the ideal presented: authority exercised not with oppression but with mercy and wisdom.

Practical Lessons from Psalm 72

The Power of Justice

Psalm 72 shows that justice is the foundation of any prosperous society. When leaders govern with integrity, everyone reaps the rewards.

Leadership as Service

The king depicted in Psalm 72 does not seek power for vanity but to serve. He cares for the needy, the poor, and the afflicted.

Hope in a Perfect Kingdom

Even though present reality falls short of the ideal, Psalm 72 invites us to look forward to a future where peace, justice, and compassion reign eternally.

Curiosities about Psalm 72

One of the Few Psalms of Solomon

Most psalms were written by David, but Psalm 72 is attributed to Solomon, his son, famed for his wisdom.

A Messianic Psalm

Though written in a royal context, many view Psalm 72 as a prophecy of Christ’s reign—a government that is eternal and just.

Liturgical Use

Psalm 72 is often read at ceremonies marking the start of leadership—such as coronations and civic events—because of its message about justice and ideal governance.

Spiritual Reflections Based on Psalm 72

Do you long to live under a just government?
Have you acted justly in your own relationships?
Do you help the needy around you, as Psalm 72 teaches?
Reflecting on this text is also an invitation to personal transformation.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Psalm 72

What does Psalm 72 mean?

Psalm 72 is a prayer for a righteous king who rules with wisdom, promotes peace, and defends the needy. It is also seen as a prophecy of the Messianic kingdom.

Who wrote Psalm 72?

Authorship is attributed to Solomon, though some believe David wrote it in honor of his son.

What is the main message of Psalm 72?

The main message is that justice and compassion are the pillars of a lasting and blessed kingdom.

Does Psalm 72 speak about Jesus?

Many Christians see in Psalm 72 a prophetic portrayal of Jesus Christ, the eternal King who brings justice and peace to the world.

How can I apply Psalm 72 to life?

By practicing justice, serving the needy, being sensitive to others’ suffering, and trusting the divine reign as a model.

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