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. 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).

1 By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.

2 He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.

3 The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.

4 He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.

5 They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

6 He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

7 In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.