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Illustration for Psalm 72: Prayer for the King

Psalm 72

Prayer for the King

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This psalm prays for a king who will be perfectly fair and good — someone who defends the poor and crushes the wicked. It describes a kingdom where peace blooms like flowers. This wonderful king is ultimately a picture of Jesus!

  1. 1Endow the king with Your justice, O God, the royal son with Your righteousness.
  2. 2May he judge Your people in righteousness, Your afflicted ones with justice.
  3. 3May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness.
  4. 4May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
  5. 5May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
  6. 6May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
  7. 7In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
  8. 8May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
  9. 9May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
  10. 10May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him; may the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
  11. 11May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.
  12. 12For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.
  13. 13He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.
  14. 14He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.
  15. 15Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
  16. 16May grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.
  17. 17May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed.
  18. 18Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
  19. 19Praise be to His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
  20. 20This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse.

Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB)