Psalms 72:1
A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
Psalms 72:1 in other translations
| BSB | Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. |
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| WEB | By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. |
| ASV | A Psalm of Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son. |
| YLT | By Solomon. O God, Thy judgments to the king give, And Thy righteousness to the king's son. |
| DARBY | For Solomon. OGod, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. |
| BBE | Give the king your authority, O God, and your righteousness to the king's son. |
| Webster | A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness to the king's son. |
What does Psalms 72:1 mean?
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
Psa 72:1-19. For, or literally, "of Solomon." The closing verse rather relates to the second book of Psalms, of which this is the last, and was perhaps added by some collector, to intimate that the collection, to which, as chief author, David's name was appended, was closed. In this view, these may consistently be the productions of others included, as of Asaph, sons of Korah, and Solomon; and a few of David's may be placed in the latter series. The fact that here the usual mode of denoting authorship is used, is strongly conclusive that Solomon was the author, especially as no stronger objection appears than what has been now set aside. The Psalm, in highly wrought figurative style, describes the reign of a king as "righteous, universal, beneficent, and perpetual." By the older Jewish and most modern Christian interpreters, it has been referred to Christ, whose reign, present and prospective, alone corresponds with its statements. As the imagery of the second Psalm was drawn from the martial character of David's reign, that of this is from the peaceful and prosperous state of Solomon's.
1. Give the king, &c.--a prayer which is equivalent to a prediction. judgments--the acts, and (figuratively) the principles of a right government (Joh 5:22; 9:39). righteousness--qualifications for conducting such a government. king's son--same person as a king--a very proper title for Christ, as such in both natures. 2, &c. The effects of such a government by one thus endowed are detailed. thy people ... and thy poor--or, "meek," the pious subjects of his government.Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain
Adam Clarke's Commentary
Introduction
David prays to God for Solomon, Psa 72:1; prescribes Solomon's work, Psa 72:2; the effects of his administration, Psa 72:3-7; the extent of his dominion, Psa 72:8-11; his mercy and kindness to the poor, and the perpetuity of his praise, Psa 72:12-17. God is blessed for his power and goodness; and the psalmist prays that the whole earth may be filled with his glory, Psa 72:18-20. The title לשלמה lishelomoh, we translate, A Psalm for Solomon. The Chaldee says, "By the hand of Solomon, spoken prophetically." The Syriac, "A Psalm of David, when he had constituted Solomon king." All the other Versions attribute it to Solomon himself. But in the conclusion of the Psalm it appears to be attributed to David. "The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended." It is most probably a Psalm of David, composed in his last days, when he had set this beloved son on the throne of the kingdom. "Then," says Calmet, "transported with joy and gratitude, he addressed this Psalm to God, in which he prays him to pour out his blessings on the young king, and upon the people. He then, wrapped up in a Divine enthusiasm, ascends to a higher subject; and sings the glory of the Messiah, and the magnificence of his reign. Hence it is that we may see in this Psalm a great number of expressions which cannot relate to Solomon, unless in a hyperbolical and figurative sense; but, applied to Christ, they are literally and rigorously exact." Verse 1 Give the king thy judgments - Let Solomon receive thy law, as the civil and ecclesiastical code by which he is to govern the kingdom. And thy righteousness unto the king's son - Righteousness may signify equity. Let him not only rule according to the strict letter of thy law, that being the base on which all his decisions shall be founded; but let him rule also according to equity, that rigorous justice may never become oppressive. Solomon is called here the king, because now set upon the Jewish throne; and he is called the king's son, to signify his right to that throne on which he now sat.Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain
Psalms 72:1 in the original Hebrew
Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.
Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).
Cross references for Psalms 72:1
- Jeremiah 23:5-6
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- 2 Chronicles 1:10
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great?
- 1 Chronicles 22:12-13
Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding, and give thee charge concerning Israel, that thou mayest keep the law of the Lord thy God. Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the Lord charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
- 1 Chronicles 29:19
And give unto Solomon my son a perfect heart, to keep thy commandments, thy testimonies, and thy statutes, and to do all these things, and to build the palace, for the which I have made provision.
- Isaiah 11:2
And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;
- Psalms 127:1
A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
- 1 Kings 1:39-2:4
And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoiced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them. And Adonijah and all the guests that were with him heard it as they had made an end of eating. And when Joab heard the sound of the trumpet, he said, Wherefore is this noise of the city being in an uproar? And while he yet spake, behold, Jonathan the son of Abiathar the priest came: and Adonijah said unto him, Come in; for thou art a valiant man, and bringest good tidings. …
- John 3:34
For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.
- Hebrews 1:8-9
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
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Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
18 He blesses God.
A.M. 2989. B.C. 1015. (Title.) A Psalm.This Psalm seems to have been composed by David in his last days, when he had set his beloved son on the throne. "Then," says Calmet, "transported with joy and gratitude, he addressed this Psalm to God, in which he prays Him to pour out His blessings on the young king, and upon the people. He then, wrapped up in a divine enthusiasm, ascends to a higher subject; and sings the glory of the Messiah, and the magnificence of his reign."
for. or, of.
127:1; *title
Give.
1Ki 1:39-53; 1Ch 22:12,13; 29:19; 2Ch 1:10; Isa 11:2; Joh 3:34
Heb 1:8,9
the king's.
1Ki 1:47,48; 2:1-4; Jer 23:5,6
Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain
Context
- Psalms 72:1
A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
- Psalms 72:2
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
Psalms 72:1 in other languages
| Spanish Reina-Valera 1909 | Para Salomón. OH Dios, da tus juicios al rey, y tu justicia al hijo del rey. |
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| French Bible J.N. Darby 1885 | *Au sujet de Salomon. Ô Dieu! donne tes jugements au roi, et ta justice au fils du roi. |
| German Elberfelder 1871 | O Gott, gib dem Könige deine Gerichte, und deine Gerechtigkeit dem Sohne des Königs! |
| Latin Clementine Vulgate | Psalmus Asaph. Quam bonus Israël Deus, his qui recto sunt corde! |