The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1-20

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public domain

EXPOSITION

THE "title" attributes this psalm to Solomon, and the contents of the psalm are very favourable to his authorship. The prayer in Psalms 72:1-4 is an echo of that recorded in 1 Kings 3:9. The stress laid upon "peace" (1 Kings 3:3, 1 Kings 3:7-16) accords with the peaceful reign (1 Kings 4:20-25) of "the peaceful one." The local allusions (1 Kings 3:10, 1 Kings 3:15) suit the circumstances of Solomon's time. The tone, cheerful, equable, and objective rather than subjective, is Solomonic. The psalm is thought to have been composed early in Solomon's reign for liturgical purposes. It is a prophetic prayer for a blessing on the king and on his reign, which is represented in colours and with circumstances, that make it typical of the reign of Messiah (see especially 1 Kings 3:8, 1 Kings 3:11, 1 Kings 3:17). The concluding verses (18, 19) are a doxology, marking the end of the Second Book (compare the comment on Psalms 41:13).

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Matthew Henry on Psalms 72:1Psalms 72:1 · Matthew Henry Concise CommentaryThis psalm belongs to Solomon in part, but to Christ more fully and clearly. Solomon was both the king and the king's son, and his pious father desired that the wisdom of God might be in him, that his reign might be a r…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1Psalms 72:1 · The Pulpit CommentaryGive the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. God had established in Israel, in the person of David, hereditary monarchy (2 Samuel 7:12-16), such as was usual in the East, and suited to…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1-20Psalms 72:1-20 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe 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 hi…The Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1-7Psalms 72:1-7 · The Pulpit CommentaryThe effect of the anger of a perfectly righteous King. Most probably put into form by Solomon, even if David suggested the substance of it. It is the portrait of an ideal King, never yet realized completely by any earth…

commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 72:1This psalm belongs to Solomon in part, but to Christ more fully and clearly. Solomon was both the king and the king's son, and his pious father desired that the wisdom of God might be in him, that his reign might be a r…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1-7The effect of the anger of a perfectly righteous King. Most probably put into form by Solomon, even if David suggested the substance of it. It is the portrait of an ideal King, never yet realized completely by any earth…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. God had established in Israel, in the person of David, hereditary monarchy (2 Samuel 7:12-16), such as was usual in the East, and suited to…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:1-20The 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 hi…Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryMatthew Henry on Psalms 72:2-17This is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; many passages in it cannot be applied to the reign of Solomon. There were righteousness and peace at first in the administration of his government; but, before the end of his…Matthew Henry commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:2He 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.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:3The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. Through the general establishment prominent features.Joseph S. Exell and contributors commentaryThe Pulpit Commentary on Psalms 72:4He shall judge the poor of the people. Not exclusively, but especially. The unjust rulers and judges of Israel neglected this duty. They judge not the fatherless … and the right of the needy do they not judge" (Jeremiah…Joseph S. Exell and contributors