Read Psalms chapter 72 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
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. 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 [A Psalm] of Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
2 He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice.
3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness.
4 He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor.
5 They shall fear thee while the sun endureth, And so long as the moon, throughout all generations.
6 He will come down like rain upon the mown grass, As showers that water the earth.
7 In his days shall the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace, till the moon be no more.
8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River unto the ends of the earth.
9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; And his enemies shall lick the dust.
10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render tribute: The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; All nations shall serve him.
12 For he will deliver the needy when he crieth, And the poor, that hath no helper.
13 He will have pity on the poor and needy, And the souls of the needy he will save.
14 He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence; And precious will their blood be in his sight:
15 And they shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: And men shall pray for him continually; They shall bless him all the day long.
16 There shall be abundance of grain 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.
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 happy.
18 Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things:
19 And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen.
20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.