1.
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Title. for Solomon. Not of, but concerning. See Epilogue by David for his son Solomon, and for his "Greater Son", the Messiah. Written after Solomon ' s second investiture, 1 Chronicles 29:23 (921 B. C). The year before David's death.
the king: i.e. David himself.
judgments = just decisions (of David regarding Solomon).
God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .
righteousness: i.e. in all his (Solomon ' s) judgments, according to 1 Kings 3:5-9 . 1 Chronicles 29:19 , and 1Ch 28:5 , 1 Chronicles 28:7 .
king's son = Solomon; but to be yet fulfilled in Christ.
2.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
judge, &c. = rule in righteousness.
poor = oppressed (plural) See note on Psalms 70:5 .
judgment = justice.
3.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
peace = prosperity.
4.
He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
judge = vindicate.
children = sons.
5.
They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
6.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
like rain. Compare 2 Samuel 23:4 .
7.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
the righteous. Some codices, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "righteousness".
8.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
from sea to sea. From the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf.
the river: i.e. the Euphrates. Same Figure of speech as above.
9.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
lick the dust. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), App-6 , for utter subjugation.
10.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
Tarshish. On the west. See note on 1 Kings 10:22 .
isles = coastlands, or maritime countries.
Sheba, &c. On the east and south.
offer gifts = bring near their presents. App-43 .
11.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
12.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
the needy = a helpless one. Hebrew. 'ebyon. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
13.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
poor = impoverished. Hebrew. dal. See note on Proverbs 6:11 .
souls. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13 .
14.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
redeem. Hebrew. ga'al. See notes on Exodus 6:6 ; Exodus 13:13 .
their soul = them, or their life. Hebrew. nephesh.
15.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
he shall live. The accent ( rebia ) on "he" marks it as emphatic, and as to be distinguished from the plurals of the preceding verses, and rendered "they", as it is in Revised Version See the Structure, and note the members "2-4" and "12-14", which treat of Messiah's goodness to the poor. It is in Psalms 72:10 and in Psalms 72:15 that we have them, and their gifts to Him. He, the Head, delivers and saves them; and they, in Psalms 72:15 , bring to Him a liberal hand, a praying heart, and a praising tongue.
live = live for ever. See note on Leviticus 18:5 .
given, &c. Solomon the type (1 Kings 10:2 , 1 Kings 10:10 ; 2 Chronicles 9:1 ). Fulfilment in Christ the Antitype.
gold. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Species), "gold" being put for precious gifts. Compare Isaiah 60:6 .
for = to.
daily = all the day.
16.
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
handful = abundance.
corn = fine corn.
17.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
And men shall be blessed in him: All nations shall call him blessed = Yea, all nations shall be blessed in him shall call him happy. "Blessed" is not the same word as in the preceding line. Hebrew ' a s h ar, cognate with 'ashrey. See App-63 .
in him. Thus confirming the promise to Abraham. See Genesis 12:3 ; Genesis 18:18 ; Genesis 22:18 ; Genesis 26:4 ; Genesis 28:14 .
18.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
Blessed, &c. This doxology closes the second book of the Psalms. Hebrew. barak, not 'asher.
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .
God. Some codices omit "Elohim" here, with Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.
19.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
name = self. See note on Psalms 20:1 .
filled, &c. Compare Numbers 14:21 .
20.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
are ended = are accomplished. When this Psalm is realized, all prophecy concerning Israel will be fulfilled: according to Daniel 9:24 , and see 2 Samuel 23:1 , where compare the title, "son of Jesse". This Third Book has to do with the Sanctuary; as the First Book (1-41) had to do with Man; and the Second Book (42-72) had to do with Israel.