Explanation of Psalm 72
Psalm 72 is a royal psalm that presents an ideal vision of the king’s reign, emphasizing justice, righteousness, prosperity, and universal dominion. While it is attributed to Solomon, its ultimate fulfillment is found in the reign of Jesus Christ, the true and perfect King.
The Text and Structure of Psalm 72
Psalm 72 can be divided into several sections, each highlighting different aspects of the king’s rule:
- The Prayer for a Righteous King (Psalm 72:1–4)
- The Blessings of His Reign (Psalm 72:5–7)
- The Universal Extent of His Rule (Psalm 72:8–11)
- His Compassion for the Weak (Psalm 72:12–14)
- The Prosperity of His Kingdom (Psalm 72:15–17)
- A Doxology Praising God (Psalm 72:18–20)
The King’s Righteous Reign (Psalm 72:1–4)
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
The psalm begins as a prayer for the king, asking God to give him wisdom and justice. The king is expected to govern with righteousness and justice, especially for the poor and needy. This reflects the ideal of a godly ruler, one who does not exploit but upholds the law and protects the vulnerable.
In the immediate context, this prayer applies to Solomon, David’s son, who was known for his wisdom (1 Kings 3:9). However, as history shows, no earthly king fully met these expectations. This psalm ultimately finds its fulfillment in Jesus Christ, the perfect King, who rules with perfect justice (Isaiah 9:6–7; Revelation 19:11).
The Blessings of His Reign (Psalm 72:5–7)
5 May they fear you while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6 May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7 In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
This section emphasizes the endurance and fruitfulness of the king’s reign. A just ruler is compared to rain that nourishes the earth, producing righteousness and peace.
This imagery points forward to the reign of Christ, whose rule brings true peace (shalom) and flourishing to His people (John 10:10). His kingdom is everlasting, not bound by time or decay (Luke 1:33).
The Universal Rule of the King (Psalm 72:8–11)
8 May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth!
9 May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10 May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
11 May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
Here, the psalm envisions a global reign, where all kings and nations submit to the righteous king. Historically, Solomon’s kingdom was vast (1 Kings 4:21), but it never reached the universal extent described here. This points forward to the Messiah’s reign, where all nations will worship Christ (Philippians 2:9–11; Revelation 11:15).
Matthew 2:1–11 echoes this prophecy when wise men from the East bring gifts to Jesus, the newborn King. Just as Psalm 72 describes foreign rulers offering tribute, the Magi bring gold, frankincense, and myrrh—acknowledging Christ’s kingship.
The King’s Compassion and Salvation (Psalm 72:12–14)
12 For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life,
and precious is their blood in his sight.
Unlike earthly rulers who often exploit the weak, this king is characterized by compassion and deliverance. He rescues the needy and defends the oppressed, valuing their lives.
This is a perfect description of Jesus Christ, who came to preach good news to the poor, heal the brokenhearted, and set the captives free (Luke 4:18–19). His salvation is not just political but spiritual, rescuing sinners from sin and death (Matthew 1:21).
The Kingdom’s Prosperity and Endurance (Psalm 72:15–17)
15 Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16 May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
17 May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
This section emphasizes the king’s longevity, prosperity, and eternal fame. Again, while Solomon experienced great wealth and a period of peace, his kingdom did not last forever. Only Jesus Christ fulfills this prophecy completely:
- His name endures forever (Philippians 2:9).
- His reign brings blessing to all nations (Galatians 3:8, which connects this to God’s promise to Abraham).
The Doxology: Glory to God (Psalm 72:18–20)
18 Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
20 The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
The psalm closes with praise to God, recognizing that this ideal kingdom is ultimately the work of the Lord. The phrase “Amen and Amen” confirms the certainty of these promises.
Though attributed to Solomon, verse 20 suggests that it is part of David’s final prayers for the future of his dynasty. Ultimately, David’s hopes for a perfect king are fulfilled not in Solomon, but in Jesus Christ, the true Son of David (Matthew 1:1).
Conclusion: Psalm 72 and Christ’s Kingdom
Psalm 72 is both a prayer and a prophecy, describing the ideal king whose reign is marked by justice, compassion, prosperity, and universal rule. While it reflects hopes for Solomon’s reign, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus Christ, who reigns eternally over all nations.
For believers, this psalm is a glorious picture of Christ’s kingdom—one that has already begun through the gospel and will be fully realized when He returns. Until then, we pray as Jesus taught:
“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
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