How does Psalm 72:20 relate to the authorship of the Psalms? Psalm 72:20 — The Text itself “The prayers of David son of Jesse are ended.” A Colophon, Not a Denial of Further Davidic Composition In ancient Hebrew literature a closing notice (colophon) signaled the completion of a unit. Psalm 72:20 performs that editorial function for the collection now called “Book II” of the Psalter (Psalm 42–72). It marks the conclusion of a block dominated by Davidic material without asserting that David never penned additional psalms. Comparable colophons appear in other Old Testament books (e.g., Jeremiah 51:64). The Five-Book Structure of the Psalter The canonical Psalter is divided into five books (Psalm 1–41; 42–72; 73–89; 90–106; 107–150). Each book closes with a doxology or colophon (41:13; 72:18-20; 89:52; 106:48; 150). Psalm 72:20 therefore fits an established literary pattern and signals the completion of Book II rather than the entire Psalter. Davidic Authorship Affirmed in Book II Thirty-one of the thirty-one psalm headings in Book II attribute authorship to David (e.g., 51: “A Psalm of David”). The colophon underscores that these prayers form a cohesive Davidic corpus. It supports, rather than undercuts, the historic claim that David authored the psalms bearing his name. Explaining Later Davidic Superscriptions (Pss 86; 101; 103; 108–110; 122; 124; 131; 133; 138–145) Davidic titles appearing after Psalm 72 were incorporated when later inspired editors compiled Books III–V. Psalm 86, for instance, is plainly titled “A prayer of David.” The existence of post-72 Davidic psalms shows that Psalm 72:20 cannot mean “David wrote nothing further.” It simply closes an earlier anthology that was later merged into the final Psalter. New Testament Confirmation of Davidic Authorship Jesus and the apostles cite David as author of specific psalms—e.g., Psalm 110 (Mark 12:36), Psalm 16 (Acts 2:25-31), Psalm 32 (Romans 4:6–8). These citations post-date Psalm 72:20 and validate the continued recognition of David’s authorship beyond Book II. The Role of Solomon’s Superscription in Psalm 72 Psalm 72 opens: “Of Solomon.” Ancient interpreters (including the Septuagint) understood this as either “by Solomon” or “for Solomon.” If David composed the prayer on behalf of his son (cf. 2 Samuel 23:1-5), the colophon naturally closes “the prayers of David,” even though the final petition concerns Solomon’s reign. Theological Significance of Inspired Editorial Activity Acknowledging Psalm 72:20 as an editorial notice harmonizes divine inspiration with human compilation. Scripture affirms its own consistent coherence (2 Timothy 3:16). The Spirit who inspired the psalms also guided their arrangement, ensuring that titles, colophons, and doxologies faithfully convey God’s Word. Implications for Canon and Reliability Because Psalm 72:20 functions as a colophon, it poses no conflict with subsequent Davidic attributions. Instead it strengthens the historical case for David as a prolific psalmist, supports the deliberate five-book structure of the Psalter, and exemplifies the meticulous preservation witnessed in both Masoretic and Dead Sea Scroll manuscripts. Thus the verse fortifies, rather than weakens, the conservative conviction that the Psalms are an inspired, accurately transmitted testimony to God’s redemptive work in history. |
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