Of Solomon – Psalm 72

This note from the ESV Study Bible is excellent:

The last psalm of Book 2 is a royal psalm, praying that the heirs of David’s line (beginning with Solomon) might have success in the task that God has assigned the king (namely, ruling God’s people well, protecting the poor and needy, and bringing blessing to all nations of the earth). Like Psalm 2, this song looks forward to a worldwide rule that embraces in full what the Messiah will accomplish: the OT anticipates the ultimate heir of David, who will take the throne and bring the light of God to all nations (cf. Isa. 2:1–5; 11:1–10), and the NT is careful to explain that Jesus, by virtue of his resurrection, has begun to fulfill this task through the Christian mission (cf. Matt. 28:18–20; Rom. 1:1–6). Therefore Christian hymns based on this psalm, such as “Jesus Shall Reign” and “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” have used the song according to its proper meaning. (This also explains why Christian witness, when it is true to the messianic picture of the Bible, goes beyond basic gospel proclamation and also fosters social justice and the moral transformation of whole societies.) The title, “of Solomon,” can mean that Solomon was the author (just as “of David” normally means that David wrote the psalm). On the other hand, it could mean that someone (perhaps David) spoke these words of (i.e., about) Solomon, setting out the goal for his reign (and for the reigns of his heirs). The reference in Ps. 72:20 to the prayers of David may favor this view, although David did not author all the songs of Book 2 (cf. Psalms 42–50; 66–67; 71), and thus this reference is not decisive.

Of Solomon.

Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!  May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!  Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness!  May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!

May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!  May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!  In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!

May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth!  May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!  May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!  May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!

For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper.  He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.  From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.

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!  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!  May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun!  May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.  Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory!

Amen and Amen! 

The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.  (Psalm 72 ESV)

When we pray for our leaders we are praying that they would, in essence, be the Messiah, be that one who rules with perfect justice and righteousness, be that one who counters our bent to oppress those weaker than us, who brings his rule to all the surrounding peoples so that God’s righteousness reigns supreme everywhere, and who brings prosperity like the garden of Eden.  Who wouldn’t want a leader like that to rule forever?  We must invoke such blessings on our leaders all the day, but only Jesus will finally satisfy our longings for such a king.  May the whole earth be filled with His glory!