Psalms 72
Psalms 72 is part of “Book II: The Exodus Book” (42–72) in the outline of Psalms.
Psalms 72 summary
This psalm, and the ten that next follow it, carry the name of Asaph in the titles of them. If he was the penman of them (as many think), we rightly call them psalms of Asaph. If he was only the chief musician, to whom they were delivered, our marginal reading is right, which calls them psalms for Asaph. It is probable that he penned them; for we read of the words of David and of Asaph the seer, which were used in praising God in Hezekiah's time, Ch2 29:30.
Read the full introduction
This psalm, and the ten that next follow it, carry the name of Asaph in the titles of them. If he was the penman of them (as many think), we rightly call them psalms of Asaph. If he was only the chief musician, to whom they were delivered, our marginal reading is right, which calls them psalms for Asaph. It is probable that he penned them; for we read of the words of David and of Asaph the seer, which were used in praising God in Hezekiah's time, Ch2 29:30. Though the Spirit of prophecy by sacred songs descended chiefly on David, who is therefore styled "the sweet psalmist of Israel," yet God put some of that Spirit upon those about him. This is a psalm of great use; it gives us an account of the conflict which the psalmist had with a strong temptation to envy the prosperity of wicked people. He begins his account with a sacred principle, which he held fast, and by the help of which he kept his ground and carried his point (Psa 73:1). He then tells us, I. How he got into the temptation (Psa 73:2-14). II. How he got out of the temptation and gained a victory over it (Psa 73:15-20). III. How he got by the temptation and was the better for it (Psa 73:21-23). If, in singing this psalm, we fortify ourselves against the life temptation, we do not use it in vain. The experiences of others should be our instructions. A psalm of Asaph.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Psalms 72 (GNV)
Geneva Bible 1599 (public domain)
Give the King Your Justice, O God
1A Psalme of Salomon. Give thy iudgements to the King, O God, and thy righteousnesse to the Kings sonne. 2Then shall he iudge thy people in righteousnesse, and thy poore with equitie. 3The mountaines and the hilles shall bring peace to the people by iustice. 4He shall iudge the poore of the people: he shall saue the children of the needie, and shall subdue the oppressor. 5They shall feare thee as long as the sunne and moone endureth, from generatio to generation. 6He shall come downe like the rayne vpon the mowen grasse, and as the showres that water the earth. 7In his dayes shall the righteous florish, and abundance of peace shalbe so long as the moone endureth. 8His dominion shall be also from sea to sea, and from the Riuer vnto the endes of the land. 9They that dwell in ye wildernes, shall kneele before him, and his enemies shall licke the dust. 10The Kings of Tarshish and of the yles shall bring presents: the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall bring giftes. 11Yea, all Kings shall worship him: all nations shall serue him. 12For he shall deliuer the poore when he cryeth: the needie also, and him that hath no helper. 13He shalbe mercifull to the poore and needie, and shall preserue the soules of the poore. 14He shall redeeme their soules from deceite and violence, and deare shall their blood be in his sight. 15Yea, he shall liue, and vnto him shall they giue of the golde of Sheba: they shall also pray for him continually, and dayly blesse him. 16An handfull of corne shall be sowen in the earth, euen in the toppe of the mountaines, and the fruite thereof shall shake like the trees of Lebanon: and the children shall florish out of the citie like the grasse of the earth. 17His name shall be for euer: his name shall indure as long as the sunne: all nations shall blesse him, and be blessed in him. 18Blessed be the Lord God, euen the God of Israel, which onely doeth wonderous things. 19And blessed be his glorious Name for euer: and let all the earth be filled with his glorie. So be it, euen so be it. HERE END THE prayers of Dauid, the sonne of Ishai.