Psalm 72 - Praise to the LORD

Read: Psalm 72 vs 1-20

Psalm 72 was written by Solomon. Solomon was the son of David and he became King of Israel in 1 Kings 1. Solomon famously asked God for wisdom to allow him to rule (1 Kings 3: 5-10) and he became established as a great king over what was increasingly becoming a great and prosperous nation. Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem where God came to dwell among His people (1 Kings 6). When the ark of the covenant (the box containing the Ten Commandments and reminders of God’s deliverance in the wilderness) was brought to the temple it was a reminder that God was among His people and that His chosen King was ruling His people according to His word. 1 Kings 10 tells us that Solomon became the wisest and richest king in the whole earth and rulers from around the world travelled to see him, to marvel at his greatness and to seek his wisdom. 

Psalm 72, a prayer for ‘the king’ referred to as ‘the royal son’ can be read as a prayer for Solomon himself. However, read on this side of the life, death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus, this prayer now points to Him, the one introduced in Matthew 1:1 as the ‘Messiah’ (God’s chosen King) and as ‘the Son of David’.

So it is Jesus who ultimately comes to ‘defend the afflicted’, to ‘save the children of the needy’ and to ‘crush the oppressor’ (vs 4). It is Jesus who refreshes our hearts and gives us life (vs 6-7). It is Jesus who now rules from sea to sea (vs 8), it is Jesus who one day all kings and rulers will bow before (vs 11). King Jesus promises to hear the cries of all afflicted who reach out to Him (vs 12). Precious in His sight is the blood of all His people (vs 14). His Name endures for ever (vs 17) and His glory fills the earth (vs 19).

Solomon was a great king. However, Solomon’s reign ultimately ended in compromise and disappointment. Living in this broken and messed up world we long for leaders who we can trust, and who we believe will rule as wisely. Every human leader is an imperfect leader. That longing for a great leader, when brought to the Bible, points us in only one direction. It points us to Jesus. Praise be to Him!

Prayer: King Jesus, You are God’s Son. I look to you as Lord of my life. All wisdom belongs to you. I praise and thank you today.