Bible Commentaries
Psalms 72

Verses 1-20

Psalms 72:0

Introduction - The verses in Psalms 72:0 are a two-fold prophecy. They describe both the reign of King Solomon over the nation of Israel, and they describe the coming reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 72:1 (A Psalm for Solomon.) Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

Psalms 72:1 “A Psalm for Solomon” - Comments - Although Solomon wrote 1,005 songs, only two have been recorded in the book of Psalms (72 and 127). A third one is recorded in the Scriptures as the book called the Song of Solomon.

1 Kings 4:32, “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.”

Psalms 127:1, A Song of degrees for Solomon. “Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”

Psalms 72:1 “and thy righteousness unto the king's son” - Comments - Solomon was well known at the king's son, following in the footsteps of King David.

Psalms 72:7 In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.

Psalms 72:7 Comments - The name Solomon means “peace” (1 Chronicles 22:9). During his reign, the kingdom of Israel had great peace (1 Kings 4:24).

1 Chronicles 22:9, “Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days.”

1 Kings 4:24, “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.”

Psalms 72:7 is also a divine prophecy of the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalms 72:8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

Psalms 72:8 Comments - This two-fold prophecy describes the extent of Solomon's reign (1 Kings 4:24), and also is a description of the reign of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Kings 4:24, “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.”

Psalms 72:9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

Psalms 72:10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Psalms 72:10 “The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents” Scripture Reference - Note:

2 Chronicles 9:21, “For the king's ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram: every three years once came the ships of Tarshish bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.”

Psalms 72:10 “the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts” - Scripture Reference - Note:

1 Kings 10:1-2, “And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.”

Psalms 72:18-20 Comments - Psalms 72:18-20 serves as the closing of book 2. They do not necessarily apply to Psalms 72:0 only, but rather to Psalms 42:0 through 72 of book 2.

Psalms 72:18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

Psalms 72:20 Comments - The Psalms of book 2 are 42 thru 72. Of these thirty-one Psalms, nineteen are attributed to David (51 thru 70). This ending may refer to this smaller collection of Davidic Psalms within book 2.