A Prayer for Justice and Prosperity

“Give the king Your judgments, God,
And Your righteousness to the king’s son.
May he judge Your people with righteousness,
And Your afflicted with justice.
May the mountains bring peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
May he vindicate the afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy,
And crush the oppressor.”

A Vision of Global Dominion

“May they fear You while the sun shines,
And as long as the moon shines, throughout all generations.
May he come down like rain upon the mown grass,
Like showers that water the earth.
May the righteous flourish in his days,
As well as an abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.”

Dominion to the Ends of the Earth

“May he also rule from sea to sea,
And from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
May the nomads of the desert bow before him,
And his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring gifts;
May the kings of Sheba and Seba offer tributes.
And may all kings bow down before him,
All nations serve him.”

The King’s Compassion and Righteous Rule

“For he will save the needy when he cries for help,
The afflicted also, and him who has no helper.
He will have compassion on the poor and needy,
And he will save the lives of the needy.
He will rescue their life from oppression and violence,
And their blood will be precious in his sight.”

Blessings and Eternal Praise

“So may he live, and may the gold of Sheba be given to him;
And they are to pray for him continually;
They are to bless him all day long.
May there be plenty of grain on the earth, on the top of the mountains;
Its fruit will wave like the cedars of Lebanon;
And may those from the city flourish like the vegetation of the earth.
May his name endure forever;
May his name produce descendants as long as the sun shines;
And may people wish blessings on themselves by him;
May all nations call him blessed.”

A Doxology of Praise

“Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
Who alone works wonders.
And blessed be His glorious name forever;
And may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.”

Postscript

“The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.”

---

Context and Meaning

Psalm 72 is attributed to Solomon, or possibly written by David as a prayer for Solomon. It is a royal psalm, expressing the ideal vision of a godly king whose reign is marked by justice, compassion, and worldwide influence. It also has strong messianic overtones, pointing forward to the reign of Christ.

Key Themes:

1. The Ideal King Brings Justice and Peace: He rules with righteousness, protecting the poor and defending the helpless (v. 1–4).
2. His Rule Is Abundant and Eternal: The king’s influence brings flourishing, rain-like refreshment, and lasting peace (v. 5–7).
3. He Is Honored by All Nations: The vision expands globally, foreseeing a universal reign where kings and peoples bow in reverence (v. 8–11).
4. He Cares for the Weak: The king’s greatness is seen not in conquest, but in compassion and justice for the vulnerable (v. 12–14).
5. His Legacy Is Blessing and Praise: His name becomes a source of blessing and inspiration across generations (v. 15–17).
6. God Alone Gets the Glory: Though the king is praised, the psalm ends by blessing God, the true source of justice and glory (v. 18–20).

Psalm 72 points beyond Solomon to Jesus, the perfect King, whose eternal kingdom will one day fill the whole earth with peace and righteousness.

---

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 72 challenges us to long for, pray for, and reflect the character of God’s kingdom rule:

• Justice and Compassion Are Royal Virtues: Greatness is seen in defending the needy, not dominating the powerful (Micah 6:8).
• The King’s Glory Comes Through Service: Jesus fulfills this psalm as the King who serves and saves, not just rules (Mark 10:45).
• Pray for Righteous Leaders: Ask God to raise up leaders who reflect His heart for justice, truth, and mercy (1 Timothy 2:1-2).
• The Gospel Brings Global Blessing: The kingdom of Christ is a blessing to all nations—and we are called to share it (Matthew 28:18-20).

Psalm 72 stirs hope in the promise of a righteous and eternal King—Jesus Christ, who will reign in perfect peace.

---

Application

• Pray for God’s Justice to Reign: In your community, your nation, and the world—long for Christ’s righteousness to prevail.
• Live Out the Values of the Kingdom: Defend the weak, care for the poor, and live with the compassion of Christ.
• Support Global Missions: This psalm anticipates global worship—partner with God in bringing His glory to the nations.
• Praise God for His Sovereignty: Join the psalmist in saying, “Blessed be His glorious name forever!”

---

Closing Thought

Psalm 72 paints a picture of perfect kingship—a vision fully realized in Jesus, the King of kings. In every generation, let our prayer be:
“May the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen, and Amen.”