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Psalms 72

A coronation prayer for the king: that he judge the people with righteousness, defend the poor and crush the oppressor. The wish expands outward — dominion "from sea to sea," tribute from Tarshish, Sheba and Seba, every nation serving him — and outward in time, his name enduring "as long as the sun." The psalm closes the second book of the Psalter; verse 20 notes "this ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse."

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Psalms 72 (WEB)
  1. 1

    God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.

  2. 2

    He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

  3. 3

    The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.

  4. 4

    He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.

  5. 5

    They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

  6. 6

    He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

  7. 7

    In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

  8. 8

    He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.

  9. 9

    Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.

  10. 10

    The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

  11. 11

    Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.

  12. 12

    For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.

  13. 13

    He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.

  14. 14

    He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.

  15. 15

    He will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long.

  16. 16

    Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.

  17. 17

    His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.

  18. 18

    Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

  19. 19

    Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.

  20. 20

    This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.

Power measured by who it protects

The grand imperial language is anchored to a specific test. The king deserves dominion because "he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper" (v.12), redeeming their lives from oppression and violence so that "their blood will be precious in his sight" (v.14). Worldwide rule is justified by care for the powerless.

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