Psalms 72
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Of Asaph--(see Introduction). God is good to His people. For although the prosperity of the wicked, and the afflictions of the righteous, tempted the Psalmist to misgivings of God's government, yet the sudden and fearful ruin of the ungodly, seen in the light of God's revelation, reassures his heart; and, chiding himself for his folly, he is led to confide renewedly in God, and celebrate His goodness and love. (Psa. 73:1-28) The abrupt announcement of the theme indicates that it is the conclusion of a perplexing mental conflict, which is then detailed (compare Jer 12:1-4). Truly--or, "Surely it is so." clean heart-- (Psa 18:26) describes the true Israel.
Open source ↗Give the King thy judgments, O God,.... A prayer of David, or of the church he represents, to God the Father concerning Christ; for he is "the King" meant; which is the sense of the old Jewish synagogue: the Targum is, "give the constitutions of thy judgments to the King Messiah;'' and so their Midrash (m) interprets it. He is "the King", by way of eminence, as in Psa 45:1; not only the King of the world in right of creation and preservation, in conjunction; with his Father, having an equal right with him; but of saints, of the church and people of God, by the designation and constitution of his Father; hence he was promised and prophesied of as a King, Jer 23:5, Zac 9:9; and he came into the world as such, though his kingdom did not appear very manifest in his state of humiliation; yet at his ascension it did, when he was made and declared Lord and Christ; and it is for the manifestation of his kingdom, and the glory of it, the psalmist here prays. For by "judgments" are meant not the statutes and laws of God, given him to be shown, explained unto, and enforced on others, which rather belongs to his prophetic office, or as the rule of his government; nor the judgments of God to be inflicted upon wicked men, which is only one part of his kingly office; but of all power in heaven and in earth, which was given him by his Father upon his resurrection, and about the time of his ascension, Mat 28:18; and is the same with "all judgment" committed by him to his Son, Joh 5:22; and which explains the clause here, and is the reason why it is expressed in the plural number here; which takes in the whole of the power and authority, the kingdom, and the greatness of the kingdom, delivered to Christ; and which chiefly lies in the government of the church, which is on his shoulders, a…
Open source ↗The name of God, occurring only once, is Elohim; and this is sufficient to stamp the Psalm as an Elohimic Psalm. מלך (cf. Psa 21:2) and בּן־מלך are only used without the article according to a poetical usage of the language. The petition itself, and even the position of the words, show that the king's son is present, and that he is king; God is implored to bestow upon him His משׁפּטים, i.e., the rights or legal powers belonging to Him, the God of Israel, and צדקה, i.e., the official gift in order that he may exercise those rights in accordance with divine righteousness. After the supplicatory teen the futures which now follow, without the Waw apodoseos, are manifestly optatives. Mountains and hills describe synecdochically the whole land of which they are the high points visible afar off. נשׂא is used in the sense of נשׂא פּרי Eze 17:8 : may שׁלום be the fruit which ripens upon every mountain and hill; universal prosperity satisfied and contented within itself. The predicate for Psa 72:3 is to be taken from Psa 72:3, just as, on the other hand, בּצדקה, "in or by righteousness," the fruit of which is indeed peace (Isa 32:17), belongs also to Psa 72:3; so that consequently both members supplement one another. The wish of the poet is this: By righteousness, may there in due season be such peaceful fruit adorning all the heights of the land. Psa 72:3, however, always makes one feel as though a verb were wanting, like תּפרחנה suggested by Bttcher. In Psa 72:4 the wishes are continued in plain unfigurative language. הושׁיע in the signification to save, to obtain salvation for, has, as is frequently the case, a dative of the object. בּני־אביון are those who are born to poverty, just like בּן־מלך, one who is born a king. Those who are born to poverty are more or less regarded,…
Open source ↗This psalm, and the ten that next follow it, carry the name of Asaph in the titles of them. If he was the penman of them (as many think), we rightly call them psalms of Asaph. If he was only the chief musician, to whom they were delivered, our marginal reading is right, which calls them psalms for Asaph. It is probable that he penned them; for we read of the words of David and of Asaph the seer, which were used in praising God in Hezekiah's time, Ch2 29:30. Though the Spirit of prophecy by sacred songs descended chiefly on David, who is therefore styled "the sweet psalmist of Israel," yet God put some of that Spirit upon those about him. This is a psalm of great use; it gives us an account of the conflict which the psalmist had with a strong temptation to envy the prosperity of wicked people. He begins his account with a sacred principle, which he held fast, and by the help of which he kept his ground and carried his point (Psa 73:1). He then tells us, I. How he got into the temptation (Psa 73:2-14). II. How he got out of the temptation and gained a victory over it (Psa 73:15-20). III. How he got by the temptation and was the better for it (Psa 73:21-23). If, in singing this psalm, we fortify ourselves against the life temptation, we do not use it in vain. The experiences of others should be our instructions. A psalm of Asaph.
Open source ↗Ps 72 This royal psalm closes Book Two, with 72:18-20 functioning as an epilogue to all of Book Two. The psalmist reflects on the prospects of David’s royal line and on Zion (see Pss 46, 48). He prays that Israel’s kings will be good and prosperous, extending the Lord’s blessing on his people throughout the whole earth. The surpassing righteousness and dominion sought in this prayer foreshadow the coming of Jesus, the Son of David. 72:1-7 The blessings of justice create a balance in nature, resulting in harmony, prosperity, and fertility. 72:1 love of justice . . . righteousness: Kings in the ancient Near East were expected to represent justice; the standard for Israel’s kings was much higher because the Lord was their model.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗דִּין (dîyn, H1777) — a straight course, i.e. sail direct עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… צֶדֶק (tsedeq, H6664) — the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a…
Open source ↗הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock צְדָקָה (tsᵉdâqâh, H6666) — rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue)…
Open source ↗שָׁפַט (shâphaṭ, H8199) — to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute דָּכָא (dâkâʼ, H1792) — to crumble; transitively, to bruise (literally or figuratively) עָשַׁק (ʻâshaq, H6231) — to press upon, i.e. oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
Open source ↗יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten עִם (ʻim, H5973) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… דּוֹר (dôwr, H1755) — properly, a revolution of time, i.e. an age or generation; also a dwelling
Open source ↗יָרַד (yârad, H3381) — to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the… מָטַר (mâṭar, H4306) — rain גֵּז (gêz, H1488) — a fleece (as shorn); also mown grass רָבִיב (râbîyb, H7241) — a rain (as an accumulation of drops) זַרְזִיף (zarzîyph, H2222) — a pouring rain אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just פָּרַח (pârach, H6524) — to break forth as a bud, i.e. bloom; generally, to spread; specifically, to fly (as… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon
Open source ↗רָדָה (râdâh, H7287) — to tread down, i.e. subjugate; specifically, to crumble off יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… אֶפֶס (ʼepheç, H657) — cessation, i.e. an end (especially of the earth); often used adverb, no further; also the… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Open source ↗צִיִּי (tsîyîy, H6728) — a desert-dweller, i.e. nomad or wild beast כָּרַע (kâraʻ, H3766) — to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… אֹיֵב (ʼôyêb, H341) — hating; an adversary לָחַךְ (lâchak, H3897) — to lick עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king תַּרְשִׁישׁ (Tarshîysh, H8659) — Tarshish, a place on the Mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if… אִי (ʼîy, H339) — properly, a habitable spot (as desirable); dry land, a coast, an island שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… מִנְחָה (minchâh, H4503) — a donation; euphemistically, tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually… שְׁבָא (Shᵉbâʼ, H7614) — Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district סְבָא (Çᵉbâʼ, H5434) — Seba, a son of Cush, and the country settled by him קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose אֶשְׁכָּר (ʼeshkâr, H814) — a gratuity
Open source ↗מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שָׁחָה (shâchâh, H7812) — to depress, i.e. prostrate (especially reflexive, in homage to royalty or God) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עָבַד (ʻâbad, H5647) — to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.
Open source ↗נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute שָׁוַע (shâvaʻ, H7768) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help,… עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances עָזַר (ʻâzar, H5826) — to surround, i.e. protect or aid
Open source ↗חוּס (chûwç, H2347) — properly, to cover, i.e. (figuratively) to compassionate דַּל (dal, H1800) — properly, dangling, i.e. (by implication) weak or thin אֶבְיוֹן (ʼebyôwn, H34) — destitute יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… תֹּךְ (tôk, H8496) — oppression חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain יָקַר (yâqar, H3365) — properly, apparently, to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) valuable; causatively, to make… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now grant me wisdom and knowledge, so that I may lead this people. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”
And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him— the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.
For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.