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Psalm 72[a]

A Prayer for the King

Of Solomon.

I

O God, give your judgment to the king;
    your justice to the king’s son;[b](A)
That he may govern your people with justice,
    your oppressed with right judgment,(B)
That the mountains may yield their bounty for the people,
    and the hills great abundance,(C)
That he may defend the oppressed among the people,
    save the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 72 A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.
  2. 72:2 The king…the king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.

Prayer for Guidance and Support for the King

A Psalm of Solomon.

72 Give the king thy justice, O God,
and thy righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge thy people with righteousness,
    and thy poor with justice!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!

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A Prayer for the King[a]

72 Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God;
    share with him your own justice,
so that he will rule over your people with justice
    and govern the oppressed with righteousness.
May the land enjoy prosperity;
    may it experience righteousness.
May the king judge the poor fairly;
    may he help the needy
    and defeat their oppressors.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 72:1 HEBREW TITLE: By Solomon.

The Reign of the Righteous King.

A Psalm of Solomon.

72 Give the king (A)Your judgments, God,
And (B)Your righteousness to the king’s son.
[a]May [b]he (C)judge Your people with righteousness
And [c](D)Your afflicted with justice.
[d]May the mountains bring [e](E)peace to the people,
And the hills, in righteousness.
[f]May he (F)vindicate the [g]afflicted of the people,
Save the children of the needy,
And crush the oppressor.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 72:2 Or He will judge
  2. Psalm 72:2 Many of the pronouns in this Psalm may be rendered He since the typical reference is to the Messiah
  3. Psalm 72:2 Or Your humble
  4. Psalm 72:3 Or The mountains will bring
  5. Psalm 72:3 Or prosperity
  6. Psalm 72:4 Or He will vindicate
  7. Psalm 72:4 Or humble

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

Endow the king with your justice,(A) O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,(B)
    your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted(C) among the people
    and save the children of the needy;(D)
    may he crush the oppressor.(E)

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