Psalm 72

A Prayer for the King

Of Solomon.†

God, give your justice to the king

and your righteousness to the king’s son.a

2He will judge your people with righteousness

and your afflicted ones with justice.a

3May the mountains bring well-beingA to the people

and the hills, righteousness.a

4May he vindicate the afflicted among the people,

help the poor,

and crush the oppressor.a

5May they fear youA while the sun endures

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.a

6May the king be like rain that falls on the cut grass,

like spring showers that water the earth.a

7May the righteousA flourish in his days

and well-being abound

until the moon is no more.a

8May he rule from sea to sea

and from the Euphrates

to the ends of the earth.a

9May desert tribes kneel before him

and his enemies lick the dust.a

10May the kings of Tarshish

and the coasts and islands bring tribute,

the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.a

11Let all kings bow in homage to him,

all nations serve him.a

12For he will rescue the poor who cry out

and the afflicted who have no helper.a

13He will have pity on the poor and helpless

and save the lives of the poor.a

14He will redeem them from oppression and violence,

for their lives areA preciousB in his sight.a

15May he live long!

May gold from Sheba be given to him.

May prayer be offered for him continually,

and may he be blessed all day long.a

16May there be plenty of grain in the land;

may it wave on the tops of the mountains.

May its crops be like Lebanon.

May people flourish in the cities

like the grass of the field.a

17May his name endure forever;

as long as the sun shines,

may his fame increase.

May all nations be blessed by him

and call him blessed.a

18Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wonders.a

19Blessed be his glorious name forever;

the whole earth is filled with his glory.a

Amen and amen.

20The prayers of David son of Jesse are concluded.a

BOOK III

(Psalms 73–89)