What is the meaning of Psalm 72:10? May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores • Psalm 72:10 opens with, “May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute”. • Tarshish, famed for its “ships of Tarshish” (2 Chronicles 9:21; 1 Kings 10:22), stood at the edge of the known western world. Pairing it with “distant shores” broadens the canvas to every far-flung coast. • The line anticipates a day when rulers from the remotest regions willingly acknowledge the royal Son foretold in Psalm 72. This looks beyond Solomon to the Messiah, fulfilling Psalm 2:8, “Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance.” • The image is literal: real kings, real lands, real tribute—yet it carries a prophetic sweep reaching to Christ’s future reign when “He will rule from sea to sea” (Psalm 72:8). Bring tribute • Tribute expresses submission and honor. Solomon received yearly tribute (1 Kings 10:25), prefiguring the greater King. • Isaiah 60:9 envisions “the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your sons from afar, their silver and gold with them,” echoing this verse and reinforcing the literal expectation of wealth streaming to Zion. • Psalm 68:29 prays, “Because of Your temple at Jerusalem kings will bring You gifts.” Tribute is not extortion but joyful recognition of righteous authority. May the kings of Sheba and Seba • Sheba, home of the queen who visited Solomon (1 Kings 10:1-10), lay in southwest Arabia. Seba, linked to Cush (Genesis 10:7), points southward into Africa. • Mentioning both northern-western (Tarshish) and southern-eastern (Sheba, Seba) realms highlights the universal scope: every compass point will honor the Messiah (Psalm 72:11, “May all kings bow to Him”). • Isaiah 60:6 mirrors the scene: “Herds of camels will cover your land… all from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense.” Offer gifts • The second half of verse 10 reads, “may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts”. • Gift-giving reflects affection and worship. The Magi reenact this when they bow before the Child and “presented Him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh” (Matthew 2:11), signaling that Psalm 72 finds its ultimate focus in Jesus. • Revelation 21:24 looks ahead: “The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it.” What Solomon glimpsed, John sees consummated. • Philippians 2:10 assures that “at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,” matching the tribute and gifts pictured here. summary Psalm 72:10 paints a literal, worldwide homage to the Messiah-King. From the furthest west (Tarshish) to the remotest south and east (Sheba and Seba), rulers will travel, kneel, and lay their treasures before Him. Solomon tasted a small portion of this honor; Christ will receive it in fullness, fulfilling God’s promise that all nations will bless Him and be blessed through Him. |
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