Psalm 72
Geneva Study Bible
<<A Psalm for Solomon.>> Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.
The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
The {d} mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

(d) When justice reigns, even the places most barren will be enriched with your blessings.

He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.
He shall {e} judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

(e) He shows why the sword is committed to Kings that is, to defend the innocent, and suppress the wicked.

They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
They shall {f} fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

(f) The people will embrace your true religion, when you give a king who rules according to your word.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.
He shall come {g} down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

(g) As this is true in all godly kings, so it is chiefly verified in Christ, who with his heavenly dew, makes his Church ever to flourish.

In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.
He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.
He shall have dominion also from {h} sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

(h) That is, from the Red sea to the sea called the Syriacum, and from Euphrates forward, meaning, that Christ's kingdom would be large and universal.

They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.
The kings of {i} Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings {k} of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

(i) Of Cilicia, and of all other countries beyond the sea, which he means by the isles.

(k) That is, of Arabia that rich country, of which Sheba was a part bordering on Ethiopia.

Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.
He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and {l} precious shall their blood be in his sight.

(l) Though tyrants pause not to shed blood, yet this godly king will preserve his subjects from all kinds of wrong.

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.
And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the {m} gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.

(m) God will both prosper his life and make the people willing to obey him.

There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the {n} fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

(n) Under such a king will be great plenty, both of fruit and also of the increase of mankind.

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.
His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call {o} him blessed.

(o) They will pray to God for his continuance and know that God prospers them for his sake.

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth {p} wondrous things.

(p) He confesses that unless God miraculously preserves his people neither the king nor the kingdom can continue.

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.
The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.
The {q} prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

(q) Concerning his son Solomon.

The Geneva Bible Translation Notes [1599]

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