Psalm 72:1-2, Psalm 72:7-8, Psalm 72:10-11, Psalm 72:12-13 NIV

The glory of Christ's kingdom. It is written that Satan took our Lord "up into an exceeding high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them" ( Matthew 4:8 ); but they had no charm, for him. In this psalm we are, so to speak, taken up by the Spirit, and shown the kingdom of Messiah; and as its glory opens to our sight our hearts are thrilled with admiration and delight. With renewed ardour we cry, "Thy kingdom come." Consider some things testified here as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 72:2

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. Then will he have wisdom to judge thy people aright. The wish is in the closest possible agreement with the prayer in 1 Kings 3:6-9 . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 72:1

Give the king - Supposing the psalm to have been composed by David in view of the inauguration of his son and successor, this is a prayer that God would bestow on him the qualifications which would tend to secure a just, a protracted, and a peaceful reign. Though it is to be admitted that the psalm was designed to refer ultimately to the Messiah, and to be descriptive of “his” reign, yet there is no impropriety in supposing that the psalmist believed the reign of Solomon would be, in some... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 72:2

He shall judge thy people with righteousness - On this verse see the notes at Isaiah 11:3-4. The fact that this so entirely accords with the description in Isaiah 11:0, which undoubtedly refers to the Messiah, has been alluded to above as confirming the opinion that the psalm has a similar reference. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 72:1

Psalms 72:1. Give the king Namely, Solomon, who was now anointed king, although his father was yet living, 1 Kings 1:39; thy judgments Either, 1st, Thy statutes and precepts, often called God’s judgments; as thou hast already given them to him in thy book, so give them to him in another and better way, by writing them upon his heart, or by giving him a perfect knowledge of them, and a hearty love to them, that he may obey and walk according to them. Or, 2d, Give him a thorough... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 72:2

Psalms 72:2. He shall judge thy people with righteousness Namely, if thou givest him what I have desired. And by this prediction he tacitly admonishes him of, and obliges him to, the performance of his duty. Or the words may be rendered, Let him judge, the future being put for the imperative, as is often the case; and so it is a prayer. And thy poor Or, thy afflicted, or oppressed ones; for such are thine in a special manner; thou art their judge and patron, Psalms 68:5, and hast... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 72:1

Title. for Solomon. Not of, but concerning. See Epilogue by David for his son Solomon, and for his "Greater Son", the Messiah. Written after Solomon ' s second investiture, 1 Chronicles 29:23 (921 B. C). The year before David's death. the king: i.e. David himself. judgments = just decisions (of David regarding Solomon). God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 . righteousness: i.e. in all his (Solomon ' s) judgments, according to 1 Kings 3:5-9 . 1 Chronicles 29:19 , and 1Ch 28:5 , 1 Chronicles 28:7 .... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Psalms 72:2

judge, &c. = rule in righteousness. poor = oppressed (plural) See note on Psalms 70:5 . judgment = justice. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Psalms 72:1

PSALM 72A SOLOMONIC FOREGROUND AGAINST A MESSIANIC BACKGROUNDSUPERSCRIPTION: A SONG OF SOLOMON.It is rather strange that Solomon is thought to be both the author of this psalm and the subject of it. It was evidently written to be sung by the people as a prayer upon behalf of Solomon. The reign of that king is here hailed as one of peace, prosperity and justice; and, as contrasted with the many wars of David's reign, Solomon's reign did exhibit a favorable contrast in those particulars. However,... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 72:1-20