Psalms 72 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.
Time Period
The reign of Solomon or a royal coronation setting, roughly the tenth century BC, and placed at the close of the second book of Psalms
Location
The royal court in Jerusalem, with a described reach from the Euphrates River to the Mediterranean, and tribute coming from Tarshish, Sheba and Seba
Audience
The people of Israel at a king's enthronement, and later worshippers reading it as a portrait of the ideal ruler
Situation
A prayer for the king, asking that his rule bring justice, long life, wide territory and agricultural abundance. It ends with a blessing that closes the second of the five books of Psalms.
Key Background
Coronation songs praising a new king's justice and prosperity were common across Egypt and Mesopotamia, but this one measures a good reign almost entirely by how the poorest and most defenceless are treated, which was unusual. Sheba and Seba were wealthy trading regions in Arabia and Africa, so their gifts stand for the far edges of the known world acknowledging the king. The closing lines about the prayers of David being ended mark an editorial seam in the collection rather than a statement inside the poem.
A psalm of Solomon. God, give the king your justice, and your to the king's son.
May he judge your people with what is right, and your with fairness.
Let the mountains carry to the people, and the hills, through justice.
May he defend the afflicted among the people, rescue the children of the needy, and the oppressor.
May he as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through every generation.
May he be like rain falling on a field, like showers that water the earth.
In his days may the flourish, and overflow — until the moon is no more.
May he rule from sea to sea, from the to the ends of the earth.
will bow before him, and his enemies will the
The kings of and the coastlands will bring tribute; the kings of and will offer gifts.
All kings will down to him; every nation will serve him.
For he will rescue the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
He will on the weak and the needy, and save the lives of those in need.
He will their lives from oppression and violence, and their blood will be in his sight.
Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given to him. May people pray for always, and of all day long.
May there be abundant grain in the land, swaying on the hilltops; may its fruit rustle like Lebanon, and may people in the cities like grass of the field.
May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun. May all nations him and call
Praise God, the God of Israel, who alone does
Praise his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Yes and
This concludes the of of