Bible Commentaries
Psalms 72

Verse 1

Title. for Solomon. Not of, but concerning. See Epilogue by David for his son Solomon, and for his "Greater Son", the Messiah. Written after Solomon ' s second investiture, 1 Chronicles 29:23 (921 B. C). The year before David's death.

the king: i.e. David himself.

judgments = just decisions (of David regarding Solomon).

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

righteousness: i.e. in all his (Solomon ' s) judgments, according to 1 Kings 3:5-9 . 1 Chronicles 29:19 , and 1Ch 28:5 , 1 Chronicles 28:7 .

king's son = Solomon; but to be yet fulfilled in Christ.

Verse 2

judge, &c. = rule in righteousness.

poor = oppressed (plural) See note on Psalms 70:5 .

judgment = justice.

Verse 3

peace = prosperity.

Verse 4

judge = vindicate.

children = sons.

Verse 6

like rain. Compare 2 Samuel 23:4 .

Verse 7

the righteous. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "righteousness".

Verse 8

from sea to sea. From the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.

the river: i.e. the Euphrates. Same Figure of speech as above.

Verse 9

lick the dust. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), App-6 , for utter subjugation.

Verse 10

Tarshish. On the west. See note on 1 Kings 10:22 .

isles = coastlands, or maritime countries.

Sheba, &c. On the east and south.

offer gifts = bring near their presents. App-43 .

Verse 12

the needy = a helpless one. Hebrew. 'ebyon. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

Verse 13

poor = impoverished. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .

souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .

Verse 14

redeem. Hebrew. ga'al. See notes on Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 13:13 .

their soul = them, or their life. Hebrew. nephesh.

Verse 15

he shall live. The accent ( rebia ) on "he" marks it as emphatic, and as to be distinguished from the plurals of the preceding verses, and rendered "they", as it is in Revised Version See the Structure, and note the members "2-4" and "12-14", which treat of Messiah's goodness to the poor. It is in Psalms 72:10 and in Psalms 72:15 that we have them, and their gifts to Him. He, the Head, delivers and saves them; and they, in Psalms 72:15 , bring to Him a liberal hand, a praying heart, and a praising tongue.

live = live for ever. See note on Leviticus 18:5 .

given, &c. Solomon the type (1 Kings 10:2 , 1 Kings 10:10 ; 2 Chronicles 9:1 ). Fulfilment in Christ the Antitype.

gold. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), "gold" being put for precious gifts. Compare Isaiah 60:6 .

for = to.

daily = all the day.

Verse 16

handful = abundance.

corn = fine corn.

Verse 17

And men shall be blessed in him: All nations shall call him blessed = Yea, all nations shall be blessed in him shall call him happy. "Blessed" is not the same word as in the preceding line. Hebrew ' a s h ar, cognate with 'ashrey. See App-63 .

in him. Thus confirming the promise to Abraham. See Genesis 12:3 ; Genesis 18:18 ; Genesis 22:18 ; Genesis 26:4 ; Genesis 28:14 .

Verse 18

Blessed, &c. This doxology closes the second book of the Psalms. Hebrew. barak, not 'asher.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

God. Some codices omit "Elohim" here, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

Verse 19

name = self. See note on Psalms 20:1 .

filled, &c. Compare Numbers 14:21 .

Verse 20

are ended = are accomplished. When this Psalm is realized, all prophecy concerning Israel will be fulfilled: according to Daniel 9:24 , and see 2 Samuel 23:1 , where compare the title, "son of Jesse". This Third Book has to do with the Sanctuary; as the First Book (1-41) had to do with Man; and the Second Book (42-72) had to do with Israel.