Psalm 72 Study Notes

Ps 72 title Of Solomon probably functions similarly to “of David” (see note at Ps 5 title). It could mean “authored by,” “written for,” or even “in the style of.”

72:1-4 Justice and righteousness are the dominant terms in these verses. They refer to the king’s role of dispensing God’s justice. The king of Israel was to function as the Lord’s royal representative and co-regent over his kingdom (see note at 45:6). When the king and the people were obedient, the Lord would bring well-being to the land (v. 16).

72:5 While the sun endures refers to a long reign or to a long dynasty, similar to the request that the king have a long life (see note at 21:4).

72:6-7 Rain symbolizes blessing (68:9; see note at 65:9-10) and is used here to request that the king’s reign be blessed with well-being.

72:8-11 This is a list of far distant places. Tarshish represents Phoenicia and Sheba represents Arabia. Seba could be somewhere in Africa; Josephus identified it with Ethiopia. The summary statement in v. 11 makes the point that these places represent all kings and all nations. On the dominion of Israel over all nations, see notes at 22:27-31; 68:29.

72:12-14 The poor . . . helpless, and afflicted are the downtrodden in society. If a king rendered justice to the poor, his reign would be particularly blessed (Pr 29:14).

72:15 On the prayer for the king to live long, see note at 21:4.

72:16 These blessings recall those promised to Israel in God’s covenant (Dt 28:2-14).

72:17-19 Name represents reputation and fame (see note at 20:1). It is significant that the name of the king and the name of the Lord are intertwined in praise. Amen and amen probably form the end of a doxology used to close Book 2 of the Psalms (see note at 41:13).

72:20 These comments were probably added as part of the close of Book 2. This is similar in form to Jb 31:40 where “The words of Job are concluded.” As in the case of Job, this does not mean that everything preceding the comment was from David. It seems to separate the previous psalms from the grouping of Asaph’s psalms beginning with Ps 73.