Psalm 72: David prays for Solomon’s reign

Of Solomon.

[Preliminary Comments: The title ‘Of Solomon’ in the light of the last verse, “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse,” suggests that this is a prayer for Solomon by David as Solomon takes over the throne from his aging father.  Observe the various things David asks for, for his son.]

v.1-7 Prayers for Solomon to be righteous & just & caring

v.1 Endow the king with your justice, O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.

v.2 May he judge your people in righteousness,
    your afflicted ones with justice.

v.3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.

v.4 May he defend the afflicted among the people
    and save the children of the needy;
    may he crush the oppressor.

v.5 May he endure as long as the sun,
    as long as the moon, through all generations.

v.6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
    like showers watering the earth.

v.7 In his days may the righteous flourish
    and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.

v.8-11 Prayers for Solomon’s reign to prosper & be strong

v.8 May he rule from sea to sea
    and from the River to the ends of the earth.

v.9 May the desert tribes bow before him
    and his enemies lick the dust.

v.10 May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores
    bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
    present him with gifts.

v.11 May all kings bow down to him
    and all nations serve him.

v.12-14 Prayers for Solomon to be caring

v.12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out,
    the afflicted who have no one to help.

v.13 He will take pity on the weak and the needy
    and save the needy from death.

v.14 He will rescue them from oppression and violence,
    for precious is their blood in his sight.

v.15-17 Prayers for Solomon to prosper and endure

v.15 Long may he live!
    May gold from Sheba be given to him.
May people ever pray for him
    and bless him all day long.

v.16 May corn abound throughout the land;
    on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon
    and thrive like the grass of the field.

v.17 May his name endure for ever;
    may it continue as long as the sun.

Then all nations will be blessed through him,
    and they will call him blessed.

v.18-20 Praise to the Lord for His greatness & glory

v.18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel,
    who alone does marvelous deeds.

v.19 Praise be to his glorious name for ever;
    may the whole earth be filled with his glory.
Amen and Amen.

v.20 This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

[Additional Comments: David’s own heart is revealed here as he prays for his son to be righteous [v.1-6, 12-14]. He also prays that he will be a great king who will stand out [v.8-11, 15-17] and he concludes with praise for God [v.18-20] who he desires to be glorified in all the earth.]

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: