Psalm 72
Dear RTB’ers,
The title, “Of Solomon” in today’s Psalm 72… Could it have been written about Solomon by David, his father? Verse 20 indicates that The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended. Or maybe it was written by someone else about Solomon, or maybe by Solomon himself? We don’t know. What we do know is that this Psalm is about the rule of a good king, a righteous and just king (Psalm 72:1-7) who rules over all the Earth (Psalm 72:8-11) and cares for the poor and needy (Psalm 72:2,4,12-14). He is described in glowing terms (Psalm 72:5-7) with a prayer that this good king be blessed in every way (Psalm 72:15-17). Who else but Jesus can fit this description? May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed! (v. 17) Read it again, folks, with Jesus in mind.
And now we close Book 2 of the Psalms and move on to I Kings.
Blessings.
See also: June 25 (2022) / Psalm 72.
When Americans read about Jesus being our King, I don’t think we relate to the richness and beauty of the idea.
We are taught in school that kings are oppressive and unfair, and our country and our freedoms were founded after a revolt against the king who ruled unjustly from afar.
That situation is not what true kingship is. As we see in this psalm, a true king provided for his people, established justice and right laws, and defended and protected his people from invaders. His rule allows those under him to prosper, living in safety and peace—to flourish!
Unfortunately, down through history this has not been the experience of most people ruled by kings (or other types of leaders)…
Psalm 72 gives us a full understanding of true kingship, as Fred pointed out. That is why we, like the psalmist, can burst out in praise and thanksgiving for our true King of Kings!