* A depiction of Jesus being flogged on the night he was betrayed.
The artwork is from Pitts Library.
>1. Who wrote this psalm? (1, 20) When does it seem to have been written?
* Psalm 72:1 "Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness."
* The title is "Of Solomon". Verse 20 is a note written by the people who put the psalms into scrolls. Scrolls I and II are of David, with this one exception. Most likely it is of David, but Solomon wrote it down because his father was to old.
* The reign of the king here was initially Solomon as he was just anointed. However, it is a foreshadow of Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
* "the king" -Newly anointed king.
* "the royal son" -An indication that he was just anointed. He was crown prince. Now his is king.
* A prayer-psalm used for the coronation of Solomon and most likely his descendant sons during their coronations. The coronation is God's endowment of his servant
* Psalms 2 and 110 were also used at the coronations.
>What is the first prayer regarding the nature of his reign?
* Psalm 72:2 "He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice."
* The prayer reflects the ideal concept of the king and the glorious effects of his reign. Thus, King Jesus' reign is seen in this prayer being the ideal and ultimate King of king and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:14-15; Revelation 17:14).
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>What is it compared to?
* Psalm 72:3 "The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness."
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>What is the second, third, and fourth prayers regarding the nature of his reign?
* Psalm 72:4 "He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor."
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* Anointing King Jesus
The last psalm of Book II "concludes the prayers of David, son of Jesse", per verse 20 of this psalm. Other psalms by David exist (i.e., 86, 101, 103, 109, 110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145, Hezekiah's collection, etc.), which apparently were not considered prayer-psalms by those who assembled the book of Psalms. The prayer is for the coronation of the king of Israel.
Though verse 20 states that this prayer-psalm was written by David, the title is "Of Solomon", David was to old to pen the psalm himself. As David instructed Solomon on being a king, something he had told the Lord he would do in the previous psalm (71:18), Solomon wrote down his father's words on paper. The psalm was a prayer and direction of Solomon, who had just been crowned king.
Solomon's reign would be built on righteousness (1,2). That righteousness would flow down to the Lord's afflicted ones like mountain streams bringing abundant prosperity, producing fruit in the valleys below (3). The king's righteousness would benefit needy children and crush the oppressor. Many wars in David's time created many children without fathers and sometimes even mothers. Wars produced orphans who were preyed upon by evil people. Solomon's reign would be judge righteously, as seen in his first case, where two mothers claimed the same baby as theirs
Jesus' reign is perfect. He reigns his people now and forevermore. He is coming soon. The oppressors will be judged and punished forever. Their victims will live forever in righteous freedom.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 72:1-4.
>2. What is "He" in verse 5? How long will he endure? What might "all generations refer to?
* Psalm 72:5 "He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations."
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>What is rain falling on a mown field like? What does showers watering the earth do? Why are these used to compare to the Messiah?
* Psalm 72:6 "He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth."
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>What will his coming, both, be like according to verse 7? How did Jesus bring that in his first coming? How will he do that in his next coming?
* Psalm 72:7 "In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more."
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* He Will Come Down.
The psalm moves from Solomon's reign to the coming reign of the eternal son promised to David through the prophet Nathan, Jesus, the anointed King (Messiah). Jesus' kingdom endures long as the sun and moon shine. Upon his first coming he gave us his words of truth and salvation. Upon his second coming evil people will fear him. He will come to judge the living and the dead.
Jesus' reign is like, and will be like, rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. Jesus' teachings are like rain, refreshing and bringing new life. Jesus' teaching brings forth abundant fruit from those who let his word sink in like water into good soil.
The blessed person is the one who subjects themselves to the righteousness of Christ. They will flourish and prosper till the moon is no more. When he comes, they will enjoy Jesus' wonderful reign. Until then, we have the Spirit, which he sent and the Word, which he taught.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 72:5-7.
II. He Will Deliver (72:8-14)
>3. Who will rule from sea to sea? What River? Did any Israel or Judah King rule the whole earth?
* Psalm 72:8 "He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth."
* "He will rule from sea to sea" -Obviously referring to the Messiah.
* "from the River" -The original Hebrew noun for "the River" is "nahar" which ninty-eight of the times in the KJV and most of the time in other translations is river. However, it has specifically refered to either the Nile and the Euphrates rivers since they were the ends of the Promised Land. The word can also be used to describe a flood.
1 Kings 4:21 and 24-25 read, "And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life... For he ruled over all the kingdoms west of the River, from Tiphsah to Gaza, and had peace on all sides. During Solomon's lifetime Judah and Israel, from Dan to Beersheba, lived in safety, each man under his own vine and fig tree."
* "to the ends of the earth." -Obviously referring to the Messiah.
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>Who did Israel consider the desert tribes? Did they ever bow down to an Israel or Judah king?
* Psalm 72:9 "The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust."
* "The desert tribes will bow before him"
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>Where is Tarshish? And Sheba and Seba? What will they do? Did that ever happen in Israel's history? When will this happen?
* Psalm 72:10 "The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts."
* "Tarshish" -A Sanscrit or Aryan word meaning "the sea coast". Ancient Israel did built trading fleets (1 Kings 9:26, 22:48; 2 Chronicles 9:21). A few wanted to place it in India or Carthage. However, almost all know it to be a Phoenician port in Spain, between the two mounths of the Guadalquivir (the name given to the river by the arabs, and meaning "the great wady" or water-course). It was founded by a Carthaginian (814-246 BC) colony, and was the farthest western harbor of Tyrian sailors. Tarshish start can be considered the Phoenician exploration of the Atlantic around 1100 B.C. The ancient world considered it the farthest western reaches.
* "Sheba" -A kingdom in Arabia a.k.a. Sabain southern Arabia, the Sabaeans. They were Semites. The queen brought Solomon spices, their main trade (1 Kings 10:1-13). Jesus called her "the queen of the south" (Matthew 12:42).
* "Seba" -Probably located in north-eastern Africa since it is mentioned with Egypt and Ethiopia in Isaiah 43:3 and Isaiah 45:14). Later, after David and Solomon it was known as Meroe.
* "The kings" -Actual rulers of the kingdoms. However, from the Messiah's rule it will be those who accepted Jesus as their King and Savior.
* "bring tribute to him... will present him gifts." -Honoring him.
>What will all nations do? (11; Revelation 12:5)
* Psalm 72:11 "All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him."
* Revelation 12:5 "She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne."
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* He Will Rule.
The verses in this stanza are prophecies of the coming Messiah, the promised eternal anointed King, the Son of the Most High God, Christ Jesus. Jesus began establishing his kingdom by preaching, "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!" (Mark 1:14)
When Jesus comes again, he will rule from sea to sea, to the ends of the earth (8). All will bow down in submission and bring him gifts. The gifts will be acts of service, those they ministered to through obedience to his great commission, "Go into all the world and preach the good news." As they served him now, they will serve him in eternity. Jesus' enemies will lick the dust.
Keep hope in Jesus. Do not give up the good fight. Do not stop the race. Know the end is near. Now Jesus awaits you at the finished line. Know his coming nears. Know he will end the tyranny of the evil.
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 72:8-11.
>4. Will he ignore those who are afflicted?
* Psalm 72:12 "For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help."
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>Will he ignore the weak and needy?
* Psalm 72:13 "He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death."
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>Will he look away when they are oppressed and receive violence? Why? What does it say when he sees their blood?
* Psalm 72:14 "He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight."
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* He Will Deliver, Take Pity, and Rescue.
The angel told Mary concerning her soon-to-be son, Jesus, "He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." (Luke 1:32-33) What will the kingdom be like? How will he rule? Will he lord power over others as other rulers do?
No. These verses concern the rule of the King of Justice, the Royal Son of Ages past, present, and forever. Jesus delivers the needy when they cry out. He rescues those who have no one to help. He takes pity on the weak and needy. He saves the needy from death. Jesus rescues those who call on his name from oppression and violence. Their blood is precious in his sight. Jesus is full of grace, love, and truth. Call on his name.
King Jesus invites, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)
Listen to the above comments on Psalm 72:12-14.
III. All Nations Will Be Blessed Through Him (72:15-20)
* A depiction of Jesus triumphantly walking out of the grave. The two guards on the left and in front are afraid. An angel is in the front right. Upper right, in the distance are three women approaching.
The artwork is in the 1890 Holman Bible.
>5. What does David proclaim? What will be given him? What will happen forever and all day long?
* Psalm 72:15 "Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long."
* Isaiah 60:6 "Herds of camels will cover your land, young camels of Midian and Ephah. And all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD."
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>What might abundant grain mean?
* Psalm 72:16 "Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field."
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>Will the evil ever whip out his name no matter how hard they have tried? What is happening even though they have tried? How did Jesus set into motion all nations hearing about him? What happened when the nations hear about him?
* Psalm 72:17 "May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed."
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>6. Who is David praising? Why? What marvelous deed might he be thinking of?
* Psalm 72:18 "Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds."
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>Will the whole earth be filled with his glory? When?
* Psalm 72:19 "Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen."
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* May... AMEN.
The second-to-last stanza, verses 15-17, is a culmination and conclusion of the inaugural prayer-psalm. The stanza that follows (18-19) is a doxology that the newly anointed king's subjects recited, an "Amen to that brother!"
Here, the orator asks God for one blessing after another to fall on the king: long life, gold, continual prayers and all day blessings from his subjects, plenty of grain, his subjects flourishing, his name endures forever, and finally, all nations be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
"The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you,' God said to Abraham, and now repeated in this psalm. So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith." (Galatians 3:8-9) Now, the blessing of King of kings is also the blessings of the people who say, "Amen to that brother!" Let your King and all created hear our "AMEN!"
>7. What is the concluding comment?
* Psalm 72:20 "This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse."
* The title is "Of Solomon", however David wrote this psalm. See notes in question 1a.
* Verse 20 is not part of the psalm. Verse 20 is a note added by those who compiled the Psalter. Books I and II (they were two scrolls originally) are written by David, written in part chronically order and in part grouped by type of psalm. Thus, not quite in chronological order because of a desire to arrange by the type of psalm probably to make it easier to find by those who used the collection..
* Verse 20 says the psalms that proceed were written by David. However, several were not because they were of the same type as the Davidic ones surrounding them. (i.e. sons of Korah in 42-43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, and 49, and in 50 of Asaph.)
* Davidic psalm are in the following books too. See comments in question one above.
