Psalm 72

The Reign of the Messiah

"Messianic" psalms are ones that refer directly to the life of the Lord Jesus Christ, and are quoted in the New Testament with direct reference to Him.  Psalm 72 is clearly a Messianic psalm, but also a prayer for the ruling monarch in Judah, using the extravagant court language of that day.

Psalm 72 is also categorized as a "royal" psalm - a psalm which portrays the reign of the earthly king as well as of the Heavenly King of Israel.  Royal psalms include Psalms 2, 18, 20-21, 45, 72, 89, 101, 110, 132, & 144.  These psalms can make us aware of our daily need to make Christ the sovereign ruler of our lives.

King David and his son Solomon

Like the preceding Psalm 71, this psalm was likely penned when David was old.  He is preparing to pass his crown onto his son Solomon. 

In verses 1-4, David uses words like righteousness, justice and peace - these words describe the expected rule of a king.  Sadly, however, these attributes were often lacking in the leadership of Israel's kings and thus came to be especially sought for in the coming rule of the Messiah.

An interesting verse in Psalm 72 is verse 14:

He will spare the poor and needy,

Precious shall be their blood in His sight.  ~ Ps. 72:14

For the life of the flesh is in the blood.  ~ Lev. 17:11

David's words in verse 14 are an Old Testament way of saying that life is of supreme worth.



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Psalm 72 is the last psalm David ever penned - even though it is not placed last in the collection of Psalms.  Among mighty King David's last words are these:

Blessed be His glorious name forever!

And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen and amen.

The prayers of David the son of Jesses are ended.

~ Ps. 72:19-20

As Matthew Henry notes:  through Psalm 72, it is as if David has summed up these thoughts:  Let God be glorified, let the kingdom of the Messiah be set up, and I desire no more.  David shuts up this prayer with a double-seal:  Amen and amen

WHAT CAN I LEARN ABOUT GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

• The Lord has dominion from sea to sea
• All the nations shall serve the Lord
• God delivers the poor and needy
• God's name shall endure forever
• God only does wondrous things

He shall have dominion from sea to sea. 
~ Ps. 72:8

  HOW CAN I PRAISE GOD THROUGH THIS PSALM:

I praise Him for:

• Faithfulness
• Deliverance
• His wondrous works
• His glorious name
• That the whole earth is filled with His glory
• He has dominion over all creation

PRAYER:

     Blessed be the Lord God, who only does wondrous things!  How I praise You for the wondrous things You have done in my own life.  Thank You for the sweet way You deliver the poor and needy in Your providence.  I am poor and needy in spirit, Father . . . and Your provision of a Savior is indeed Your most wondrous work! 
     Lord, even as David desired a godly king to rule over Israel, so I desire such godly leaders for America.  Would You bring revival in our land and the hearts of our elected officials - that they would seek Your face and Your word as they make decisions and enact laws that will govern our cities, counties, states, and courts. 
     Let the whole earth be filled with Your glory, Lord!  Blessed be Your glorious name forever!  Amen and amen.