---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 72"
description: "PSALM 72   :-. For, or literally, \"of Solomon.\" The
closing verse rather relates to the second book of Psalms, of which
this is the last, and was perhaps"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/72"
---

PSALM 72

. *For,* or literally, "of Solomon." The
closing verse rather relates to the second book of Psalms, of which
this is the last, and was perhaps added by some collector, to
intimate that the collection, to which, as chief author, David's name
was appended, was closed. In this view, these may consistently be the
productions of others included, as of Asaph, sons of Korah, and
Solomon; and a few of David's may be placed in the latter series. The
fact that here the usual mode of denoting authorship is used, is
strongly conclusive that Solomon was the author, especially as no
stronger objection appears than what has been now set aside. The
Psalm, in highly wrought figurative style, describes the reign of a
king as "righteous, universal, beneficent, and perpetual."
By the older Jewish and most modern Christian interpreters, it has
been referred to Christ, whose reign, present and prospective, alone
corresponds with its statements. As the imagery of the second Psalm
was drawn from the martial character of David's reign, that of this
is from the peaceful and prosperous state of Solomon's.

**1. Give the king,** c.—a prayer
which is equivalent to a prediction.
**judgments**—the acts, and
(figuratively) the principles of a right government ([John 5:22](../../../kjv/john/5/22)
[John 9:39](../../../kjv/john/9/39)).
**righteousness**—qualifications
for conducting such a government.
**king's son**—same person
as a king—a very proper title for Christ, as such in both natures.

**2,** &c. The effects of such a
government by one thus endowed are detailed.
**thy people . . . and thy
poor**—or, "meek," the pious subjects of his
government.

**3.** As *mountains* and *hills*
are not usually productive, they are here selected to show the
abundance of peace, being represented as
**bringing**—or, literally,
"bearing" it as a produce.
**by righteousness**—that
is, by means of his eminently just and good methods of ruling.

**4.** That peace, including
prosperity, as an eminent characteristic of Christ's reign ([Isaiah 2:4](../../../kjv/isaiah/2/4);
[Isaiah 9:6](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/6); [Isaiah 11:9](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/9)),
will be illustrated in the security provided for the helpless and
needy, and the punishment inflicted on oppressors, whose power to
injure or mar the peace of others will be destroyed (compare [Isaiah 65:25](../../../kjv/isaiah/65/25);
[Zechariah 9:10](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/10)).
**children of the needy**—for
the needy (compare sons of strangers, [Zechariah 9:10](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/10) [*Margin*]).

**5. as long as . . .
endure**—literally, "with the sun," coeval with its
existence, and *before,* or, *in presence of the moon,*
while it lasts (compare [Genesis 11:28](../../../kjv/genesis/11/28),
"before Terah," literally, "in presence of,"
while he lived).

**6.** A beautiful figure expresses
the *grateful* nature of His influence;

**7,** and, carrying out the figure,
the results are described in an abundant production.
**the righteous**—literally,
"righteousness."
**flourish**—literally,
"sprout," or, "spring forth."

**8.** The foreign nations mentioned
([Psalms 72:9](../../../kjv/psalms/72/9); [Psalms 72:10](../../../kjv/psalms/72/10))
could not be included in the limits, if designed to indicate the
boundaries of Solomon's kingdom. The terms, though derived from those
used ([Exodus 23:31](../../../kjv/exodus/23/31); [Deuteronomy 11:24](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/11/24))
to denote the possessions of Israel, must have a wider sense. Thus,
"ends of the earth" is never used of Palestine, but always
of the world (compare *Margin*).

**9-11.** The extent of the
conquests.
**They that dwell in the
wilderness**—the wild, untutored tribes of deserts.
**bow . . . dust**—in
profound submission. The remotest and wealthiest nations shall
acknowledge Him (compare ).

**12-14.** They are not the
conquests of arms, but the influences of humane and peaceful
principles (compare [Isaiah 9:7](../../../kjv/isaiah/9/7);
[Isaiah 11:1-9](../../../kjv/isaiah/11/1-9); [Zechariah 9:9](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/9);
[Zechariah 9:10](../../../kjv/zechariah/9/10)).

**15.** In his prolonged life he
will continue to receive the honorable gifts of the rich, and the
prayers of his people shall be made for him, and their praises given
to him.

**16.** The spiritual blessings, as
often in Scripture, are set forth by material, the abundance of which
is described by a figure, in which a "handful" (or
literally, "a piece," or small portion) of corn in the most
unpropitious locality, shall produce a crop, waving in the wind in
its luxuriant growth, like the forests of Lebanon.
**they of the city . . .
earth**—This clause denotes the rapid and abundant increase of
population—
**of**—or, "from"
**the city**—Jerusalem, the
center and seat of the typical kingdom.
**flourish**—or, glitter as
new grass—that is, bloom. This increase corresponds with the
increased productiveness. So, as the gospel blessings are diffused,
there shall arise increasing recipients of them, out of the Church in
which Christ resides as head.

**17. His name**—or, "glorious
perfections."
**as long as the sun**—(Compare
[Psalms 72:5](../../../kjv/psalms/72/5)).
**men shall be blessed**—
([Genesis 12:3](../../../kjv/genesis/12/3); [Genesis 18:18](../../../kjv/genesis/18/18)).

**18, 19.** These words close the
Psalm in terms consistent with the style of the context, while is evidently, from its prosaic style, an addition for the
purpose above explained [see on ].

**20. ended**—literally,
"finished," or completed; the word never denotes
fulfilment, except in a very late usage, as in [Ezra 1:1](../../../kjv/ezra/1/1);
[Daniel 12:7](../../../kjv/daniel/12/7).

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