The Reign of the Righteous King

721 O God, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

2 He will judge thy people with righteousness, and thine afflicted with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, by righteousness. 4 He will do justice to the afflicted of the people; he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear thee as long as sun and moon endure, from generation to generation. 6 He shall come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon be no more. 8 And he shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9 The dwellers in the desert shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer tribute: 11 Yea, all kings shall bow down before him; all nations shall serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who crieth, and the afflicted, who hath no helper; 13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy: 14 He will redeem their souls from oppression and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15 And he shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba; and prayer shall be made for him continually: all the day shall he be blessed. 16 There shall be abundance of corn in the earth, upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon; and they of the city shall bloom like the herb of the earth. 17 His name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall bless themselves in him; all nations shall call him blessed.

18 Blessed be Jehovah Elohim, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wondrous things! 19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever! and let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen, and Amen.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 72:1-19

Commentary on Psalm 72:1

(Read Psalm 72:1)

This psalm belongs to Solomon in part, but to Christ more fully and clearly. Solomon was both the king and the king's son, and his pious father desired that the wisdom of God might be in him, that his reign might be a remembrance of the kingdom of the Messiah. It is the prayer of a father for his child; a dying blessing. The best we can ask of God for our children is, that God would give them wisdom and grace to know and to do their duty.

Commentary on Psalm 72:2-17

(Read Psalm 72:2-17)

This is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; many passages in it cannot be applied to the reign of Solomon. There were righteousness and peace at first in the administration of his government; but, before the end of his reign, there were troubles and unrighteousness. The kingdom here spoken of is to last as long as the sun, but Solomon's was soon at an end. Even the Jewish expositors understood it of the kingdom of the Messiah. Observe many great and precious promises here made, which were to have full accomplishment only in the kingdom of Christ. As far as his kingdom is set up, discord and contentions cease, in families, churches, and nations. The law of Christ, written in the heart, disposes men to be honest and just, and to render to all their due; it likewise disposes men to live in love, and so produces abundance of peace. Holiness and love shall be lasting in Christ's kingdom. Through all the changes of the world, and all the changes of life, Christ's kingdom will support itself. And he shall, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, come down like rain upon the mown grass; not on that cut down, but that which is left growing, that it may spring again. His gospel has been, or shall be, preached to all nations. Though he needs not the services of any, yet he must be served with the best. Those that have the wealth of this world, must serve Christ with it, do good with it. Prayer shall be made through him, or for his sake; whatever we ask of the Father, should be in his name. Praises shall be offered to him: we are under the highest obligations to him. Christ only shall be feared throughout all generations. To the end of time, and to eternity, his name shall be praised. All nations shall call HIM blessed.

Commentary on Psalm 72:18-20

(Read Psalm 72:18-20)

We are taught to bless God in Christ, for all he has done for us by him. David is earnest in prayer for the fulfilment of this prophecy and promise. It is sad to think how empty the earth is of the glory of God, how little service and honour he has from a world to which he is so bountiful. May we, like David, submit to Christ's authority, and partake of his righteousness and peace. May we bless him for the wonders of redeeming love. May we spend our days, and end our lives, praying for the spread of his gospel.