What is the main message of Psalm 72?

Psalm 72 is a profound and majestic piece of Hebrew poetry that encapsulates the hopes and prayers for a righteous and just king. Traditionally attributed to Solomon, this psalm is often interpreted as a prayer for the king, but it also carries messianic overtones, pointing forward to the ultimate reign of Christ. The main message of Psalm 72 revolves around the ideal characteristics of a godly king, emphasizing justice, righteousness, prosperity, and universal peace.

The psalm opens with a plea for divine endowment of justice and righteousness to the king and his son:

"Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son!" (Psalm 72:1, ESV).

This opening verse sets the tone for the entire psalm, highlighting the dependence of the king on God for the ability to rule justly. The request for justice and righteousness is not merely about legal fairness but encompasses a broader sense of moral integrity and ethical governance. The king's role is to reflect God's own justice and righteousness in his rule.

The subsequent verses (2-4) expand on this theme by describing the king's duties towards his people, especially the poor and the oppressed:

"May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!" (Psalm 72:2-4, ESV).

Here, the psalmist envisions a kingdom where the marginalized are protected and the oppressors are subdued. The imagery of mountains and hills bearing prosperity signifies a flourishing land under the righteous rule of the king. This focus on the welfare of the poor and needy highlights a central biblical principle: true leadership is marked by compassion and a commitment to social justice.

Verses 5-7 extend the scope of the king's reign, suggesting its enduring nature:

"May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!" (Psalm 72:5-7, ESV).

The king's reign is depicted as everlasting, bringing to mind the eternal reign of the Messiah. The comparison to rain and showers signifies the life-giving and refreshing nature of his rule. This imagery speaks to the king's ability to foster growth and prosperity, ensuring that righteousness and peace are not fleeting but enduring.

The psalm then shifts to a global perspective in verses 8-11, portraying the king's dominion as universal:

"May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!" (Psalm 72:8-11, ESV).

This vision of global dominion underscores the king's unparalleled authority and the respect he commands from other nations. The homage paid by foreign kings and the submission of enemies illustrate the universal recognition of his just and righteous rule. This aspect of the psalm has strong messianic implications, pointing to the ultimate reign of Christ, who will be acknowledged by all nations.

Verses 12-14 return to the theme of the king's compassion and justice:

"For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight." (Psalm 72:12-14, ESV).

The king's responsiveness to the cries of the needy and his commitment to saving them from oppression and violence highlight his role as a protector and redeemer. The phrase "precious is their blood in his sight" emphasizes the value the king places on human life, particularly the lives of the vulnerable and marginalized.

The psalm continues with a prayer for the king's prosperity and the blessing of the land (verses 15-17):

"Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!" (Psalm 72:15-17, ESV).

The prayer for the king's long life and the prosperity of the land reflects the interconnectedness of the ruler's well-being and the nation's flourishing. The abundance of grain and the imagery of people blossoming like grass symbolize a thriving community under the king's benevolent rule. The enduring fame of the king and the blessing of all nations again point to the messianic hope that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ.

The psalm concludes with a doxology (verses 18-19) that praises God for His wondrous deeds and eternal glory:

"Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!" (Psalm 72:18-19, ESV).

This doxology serves as a reminder that the ideal kingship described in the psalm is ultimately rooted in God's own nature and works. The prayer for the earth to be filled with God's glory reinforces the theme of universal recognition of God's sovereignty.

In summary, the main message of Psalm 72 is a vision of the ideal king who rules with justice, righteousness, and compassion. This king is a protector of the poor and oppressed, a promoter of prosperity and peace, and a figure whose reign extends to the ends of the earth. While the immediate context of the psalm is a prayer for Solomon or a Davidic king, its ultimate fulfillment is found in the messianic reign of Jesus Christ, who embodies the perfect justice, righteousness, and compassion described in this psalm. The psalm invites believers to look forward to the day when Christ's reign will be fully realized, bringing peace and justice to all creation.