Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. New Living Translation Help him to defend the poor, to rescue the children of the needy, and to crush their oppressors. English Standard Version May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! Berean Standard Bible May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. King James Bible He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. New King James Version He will bring justice to the poor of the people; He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. New American Standard Bible May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy, And crush the oppressor. NASB 1995 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor. NASB 1977 May he vindicate the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy, And crush the oppressor. Legacy Standard Bible May he give justice to the afflicted of the people, Save the children of the needy, And crush the oppressor. Amplified Bible May he bring justice to the poor among the people, Save the children of the needy And crush the oppressor, Christian Standard Bible May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor. Holman Christian Standard Bible May he vindicate the afflicted among the people, help the poor, and crush the oppressor. American Standard Version He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. Contemporary English Version Let the king defend the poor, rescue the homeless, and crush everyone who hurts them. English Revised Version He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. GOD'S WORD® Translation May he grant justice to the people who are oppressed. May he save the children of needy people and crush their oppressor. Good News Translation May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors. International Standard Version May he defend the afflicted of the people and deliver the children of the poor, but crush the oppressor. Majority Standard Bible May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. NET Bible He will defend the oppressed among the people; he will deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor. New Heart English Bible He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces. Webster's Bible Translation He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. World English Bible He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionHe judges the poor of the people, "" Gives deliverance to the sons of the needy, "" And bruises the oppressor. Young's Literal Translation He judgeth the poor of the people, Giveth deliverance to the sons of the needy, And bruiseth the oppressor. Smith's Literal Translation He shall judge the poor of the people, and save to the sons of the needy, and he will break in pieces him oppressing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: and he shall humble the oppressor. Catholic Public Domain Version New American Bible That he may defend the oppressed among the people, save the children of the poor and crush the oppressor. New Revised Standard Version May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the needy, and crush the oppressor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe shall judge the poor of the people; he shall save the children of the needy; and he shall crush the oppressor. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated For he will judge the poor of the people and he will save the afflicted children and abase the oppressors. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917May he judge the poor of the people, And save the children of the needy, And crush the oppressor. Brenton Septuagint Translation he shall judge the poor of the people in righteousness, and save the children of the needy; and shall bring low the false accuser. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Endow the King with Your Justice…3May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring righteousness. 4May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. 5May they fear him as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains, through all generations.… Cross References Isaiah 11:4 but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips. Proverbs 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Jeremiah 22:16 He took up the cause of the poor and needy, and so it went well with him. Is this not what it means to know Me?” declares the LORD. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice and correct the oppressor. Defend the fatherless and plead the case of the widow.” Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is on Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and freedom to the prisoners, Luke 4:18 “The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, Matthew 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. James 2:5 Listen, my beloved brothers: Has not God chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom He promised those who love Him? Psalm 82:3-4 Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; uphold the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. / Rescue the weak and needy; save them from the hand of the wicked. Isaiah 41:17 The poor and needy seek water, but there is none; their tongues are parched with thirst. I, the LORD, will answer them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. Ezekiel 34:16 I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the broken, and strengthen the weak; but the sleek and strong I will destroy. I will shepherd them with justice.’ Matthew 11:5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor. Luke 6:20 Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Job 29:12 because I rescued the poor who cried out and the fatherless who had no helper. Proverbs 22:22-23 Do not rob a poor man because he is poor, and do not crush the afflicted at the gate, / for the LORD will take up their case and will plunder those who rob them. Treasury of Scripture 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 judge Psalm 72:12-14 For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper… Psalm 109:31 For he shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those that condemn his soul. Isaiah 11:4 But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. break Psalm 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Psalm 94:5 They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. Job 19:2 How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? the oppressor Isaiah 9:4 For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. Isaiah 51:12,13 I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; … Daniel 2:34,35 Thou sawest till that a stone was cut out without hands, which smote the image upon his feet that were of iron and clay, and brake them to pieces… Jump to Previous Afflicted Break Bruiseth Cause Children Crush Crushed Defend Deliverance Judge Judgeth Justice Need Needy Oppressor Pieces Poor Salvation Save Vindicate ViolentJump to Next Afflicted Break Bruiseth Cause Children Crush Crushed Defend Deliverance Judge Judgeth Justice Need Needy Oppressor Pieces Poor Salvation Save Vindicate ViolentPsalm 72 1. David, praying for Solomon, shows the goodness and glory of God's kingdom18. He blessed God May he vindicate the afflicted among the people; This phrase calls for justice and righteousness, reflecting the king's role as a protector of the vulnerable. In ancient Israel, the king was expected to uphold justice, especially for those who were marginalized or oppressed. The afflicted often included the poor, widows, and orphans, who had little means to defend themselves. This plea for vindication aligns with the broader biblical theme of God's concern for justice, as seen in passages like Isaiah 1:17, which urges the defense of the oppressed. The king's duty to vindicate is a reflection of God's own character, as He is described as a defender of the weak throughout the Psalms. may he save the children of the needy and crush the oppressor. Persons / Places / Events 1. The AfflictedRefers to those who are suffering or oppressed, often marginalized in society. In the context of ancient Israel, this could include the poor, widows, orphans, and foreigners. 2. The Needy Those who lack basic necessities and require assistance. This group often overlaps with the afflicted and represents a significant concern in biblical justice. 3. The Oppressor Individuals or systems that exploit or harm others, often for personal gain or power. In biblical times, this could include corrupt leaders or foreign invaders. 4. The King (Implied) While not directly mentioned in this verse, the psalm is a royal psalm, traditionally attributed to Solomon, and speaks of the ideal king who rules with justice and righteousness. 5. The People The broader community or nation that the king is responsible for leading and protecting, emphasizing the communal aspect of justice. Teaching Points Justice and RighteousnessThe verse highlights the importance of justice and righteousness as central to godly leadership. Believers are called to advocate for these values in their communities. Compassion for the Needy Christians are encouraged to actively support and care for those in need, reflecting God's heart for the marginalized. Opposition to Oppression The call to "crush the oppressor" emphasizes the need to stand against injustice and exploitation, whether in personal relationships or societal structures. Role of Leadership Godly leadership involves protecting and uplifting the vulnerable, a model for both spiritual and secular leaders. Christ as the Fulfillment Jesus embodies the perfect fulfillment of this kingly role, offering salvation and justice to all who are oppressed.Verse 4. - He shall judge the poor of the people. Not exclusively, but especially. The unjust rulers and judges of Israel neglected this duty. They judge not the fatherless... and the right of the needy do they not judge" (Jeremiah 5:28; see also Isaiah 1:23; Zechariah 7:10). He shall save the children of the needy. He shall preserve them, i.e., from oppression and wrong. And shall break in pieces the oppressor. (On God's hatred of oppression and oppressors, see Exodus 3:9; Leviticus 25:14; Job 27:13; Psalm 12:5; Isaiah 16:14, etc.) Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew May he vindicateיִשְׁפֹּ֤ט ׀ (yiš·pōṭ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate the afflicted עֲֽנִיֵּי־ (‘ănî·yê-) Adjective - masculine plural construct Strong's 6041: Poor, afflicted, humble among the people; עָ֗ם (‘ām) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock may he save י֭וֹשִׁיעַ (yō·wō·šî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor the children לִבְנֵ֣י (liḇ·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 1121: A son of the needy, אֶבְי֑וֹן (’eḇ·yō·wn) Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 34: In want, needy, poor and crush וִֽידַכֵּ֣א (wî·ḏak·kê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1792: To crumble, to bruise the oppressor. עוֹשֵֽׁק׃ (‘ō·wō·šêq) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6231: To press upon, oppress, defraud, violate, overflow Links Psalm 72:4 NIVPsalm 72:4 NLT Psalm 72:4 ESV Psalm 72:4 NASB Psalm 72:4 KJV Psalm 72:4 BibleApps.com Psalm 72:4 Biblia Paralela Psalm 72:4 Chinese Bible Psalm 72:4 French Bible Psalm 72:4 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Psalm 72:4 He will judge the poor (Psalm Ps Psa.) |
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