Psalm 72:1-14

New International Reader's Version

A psalm of Solomon.

72 God, give the king the ability to judge fairly.
    He is your royal son. Help him to do what is right.
²May he rule your people in the right way.
    May he be fair to those among your people who are hurting.
³May the mountains and the hills produce rich crops,
    because the people will do what is right.
⁴May the king stand up for those who are hurting.
    May he save the children of those who are in need.
    May he crush those who treat others badly.

⁵May the king rule as long as the sun shines
    and the moon gives its light.
    May he rule for all time to come.
⁶May he be like rain falling on the fields.
    May he be like showers watering the earth.
⁷May godly people do well as long as he rules.
    May they have more than they need as long as the moon lasts.

⁸May the king rule from sea to sea.
    May his kingdom reach from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth.
⁹May the desert tribes bow down to him.
    May his enemies lick the dust.
¹⁰May the kings of Tarshish and of places far away
    bring him gifts.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba
    give him presents.
¹¹May all kings bow down to him.
    May all nations serve him.

¹²The king will save needy people who cry out to him.
    He will save those who are hurting and have no one else to help.
¹³He will take pity on those who are weak and in need.
    He will save them from death.
¹⁴He will save them from people who treat others badly.
    He will save them from people who do mean things to them.
    Their lives are very special to him.