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Psalm 72
Our plain-language guide next to the Bible text. Each row lines up one section with the verses it explains.
Section 1: A King Who Brings JusticeVerses 1 to 7
"Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness" (72:1).
Endow means to give as a gift.
"May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice" (72:2).
"May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy" (72:4).
"May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass" (72:6).
A good king refreshes his people, like rain on a field.
1Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. 2May he judge Your people with righteousness and Your afflicted with justice. 3May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. 4May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. 5May they fear him as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains, through all generations. 6May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass, like spring showers that water the earth. 7May the righteous flourish in his days and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more.
Section 2: All Kings Will BowVerses 8 to 11
May his kingdom stretch "from sea to sea" (72:8).
"May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts" (72:10).
"May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him" (72:11).
8May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth. 9May the nomads bow before him, and his enemies lick the dust. 10May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 11May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
Section 3: He Will Save the NeedyVerses 12 to 17
Why should the nations honor him?
"For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper" (72:12).
"He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed" (72:13).
"For their blood is precious in his sight" (72:14).
The lives of the poor matter to him.
May the land overflow with grain. "In him may all nations be blessed" (72:17).
12For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper. 13He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. 14He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight. 15Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him; may they bless him all day long. 16May there be an abundance of grain in the land; may it sway atop the hills. May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon, and its people like the grass of the field. 17May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.
Section 4: Blessed Be the LORDVerses 18 to 19
"Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds" (72:18).
"May all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen" (72:19).
18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.
Between sectionsVerse 20
This part isn't covered by the guide.
20Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.
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