Wisdom Books Psalms

A Prayer For The King

Discover Jesus as: King of Glory Psalms 72-73 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 424 of 730
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INTRO

Psalm 72 is a psalm written for a coronation for a sovereign position (1 Kings 2). It can also be called a royal psalm. MacArthur explains that the psalm was “dedicated to the prosperity of Solomon at the beginning of his reign.”1 Solomon is not only connected to the psalm through his coronation, but it is possible “he was the author and wrote of himself in the third person . . . a prayer for God’s help as he sought to rule over the people of Israel.”2 Constable says the psalm “describes [Solomon’s] reign but anticipates the rule of his successor, Jesus Christ, on earth in the future.”3

TEACHING

Psalm 72:1-4: MacArthur describes these verses as “a just reign.”4 Remember that in this context, the psalm is about Solomon, but it also points to the King of Glory. Verse 1’s conflicting language has created debate about who wrote this psalm. The verse points to the father/son relationship and anticipates the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son (2 Samuel 7:12–13; Psalm 2:1–12). Verse 1 offers “a prayer that the king would faithfully mediate God’s justice on the nation (Deuteronomy 17:18–20).”5 God would also judge the king on his righteousness (v. 2). Constable suggests, “His references to the mountains and hills are probably metaphorical allusions to his government”6 (v. 3). The author asked that Solomon lead by helping the poor and the afflicted (v.4).

Psalm 72:5–11: MacArthur describes these verses as “a universal reign.”7 Verse 5 emphasizes that the king’s reign would continue from local to an endless reign—long live the king (Psalm 72:5, 15). The rain represents God’s blessings on the king and will lead to peace (v. 6).8 The king’s presence would be welcomed. The phrase “the moon is no more” refers “to the length of the Davidic dynasty and, possibly, also to the messianic reign.”9 (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 89:3, 4, 29, 36, 37; Luke 1:30–33). His kingdom would expand past the Euphrates River to include the entire earth (v. 8).10 Sadly, Solomon did not live up to this prayer, and the nation of Israel became divided, but the kingdom of the Messiah will. Verses 9–10 show that “no one will escape the power of His reign, not even those in the wilderness.”11 Verse 11 is very prophetic as it states that even the kings of the earth will bow before Him—a specific Messianic picture.

Psalm 72:12–14: MacArthur describes these verses as “a compassionate reign.”12 Verse 12 is almost a repeat of verse 4 about the poor and the afflicted. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, “for their lives are precious in his sight.” 1 Peter 1:19 echoes that the lives are “precious in His sight.” This points to Christ who finds them precious because they had to go through what He had to endure (vv. 13–14).

Psalm 72:15–17: MacArthur describes these verses as “a prosperous reign.”13 The prayer for a long reign and a prosperous reign continues (vv. 15–16). Read 1 Kings 10:1–10 for Solomon’s meeting with the Queen of Sheba and the gold Solomon received from her. Sheba was also mentioned in verse 10 and points to Solomon’s prosperous reign and the reign of the Messiah. Verse 17 begins several verses of the King’s name enduring forever (v. 17–19).

Psalm 72:18–20: MacArthur describes these verses as “a glorious reign.”14

3 Robert B. Chisholm, Jr., “A Theology of Psalms,” in A Biblical Theology of the Old Testament, ed. Roy B. Zuck (Chicago: Moody Press, 1991), p. 270; quoted in Thomas Constable, Dr. Constable’s Expository Bible Study Notes: Psalms, p. 276; available at https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/psalms.pdf.

CLOSING

The ultimate reign of prosperity is that we will receive eternal life through Jesus Christ. The whole earth will be filled with His glory (v. 19). Nelson’s Commentary states, “The name of the great King will be regarded as the greatest name in the universe” and is reminiscent of Paul’s writing in Philippians 2:9–11”15

"For this reason, God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every

name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those who are in heaven

and on earth and under the earth— and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ

is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Everybody. Every tongue. Every tribe. Every nation will bow down. The prayers, the songs of David, son of Jesse is concluded. This closes out the second of the three books that make up Psalms.

  1. John MacArthur, John MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 644.

  2. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), p. 218.

  3. MacArthur, p. 645.

  4. MacArthur, p. 645.

  5. Thomas Constable, Dr. Constable’s Expository Bible Study Notes: Psalms, p. 277; available at https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/psalms.pdf.

  6. MacArthur, p. 645.

  7. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 695.

  8. MacArthur, p. 645.

  9. MacArthur, p. 645

  10. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 695.

  11. MacArthur, p. 645.

  12. MacArthur, p. 645.

  13. MacArthur, p. 645.

  14. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 695.

Questions

  1. When you read Psalm 72, read it as though Jesus is speaking instead of Solomon. How does this chapter now speak to you?
  2. Has there been a time in your life when you may have felt like Asaph, envious of the supposed prosperity of the wicked, as he was in Psalm 73:3?
  3. In Psalm 73:1–16, Asaph had his eyes on the world, but in verse 17 we see a change in how he viewed things. What do you think caused this change and what are some of the revelations he had? Write about a time when your eyes were opened to the ways of the world versus the ways of God.
  4. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Psalms 72—73 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Psalm 72:11

“Let all kings bow down to him, all nations serve him.”

Jesus is the name above every other name. He sends you out with joy and guides you with peace. He rescues the poor and helps the afflicted. He acknowledges the helpless. He redeems the oppressed and ceases the violent. He sees each person as perfectly and wonderfully made. You, child of God, are precious in His sight. No other god on earth offers the unconditional love of the Lord God Almighty, who was, who is, and who is coming. He is the author and the perfecter of your faith, and He is worthy to be praised. His glory will fill the entire earth.

Today, intentionally pray for the day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Jesus Christ is Lord. Pray all nations will bow down and serve the one true living God! Come, Lord Jesus, come. May you believe in faith it will come to pass. As you pray, ask Jesus to make a way for all people over all the earth to know the name of the Lord our God and bow down to Him. Amen and amen!

“Let all kings bow down to him, all nations serve him.”

— Psalm 72:11

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 72:18–19 — “May the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders, be praised. May His glorious name be praised forever; the whole earth is filled with His glory. Amen and amen.”
  • Isaiah 55:12 — “You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.”
  • Philippians 2:9–11 — “For this reason God highly exalted Him and gave Him the name that is above every name so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow—of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth—and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”