Why is Psalm 72:20 considered a concluding verse for David's prayers? Text “The prayers of David son of Jesse are concluded.” — Psalm 72:20 Immediate Literary Frame Psalm 72 bears the superscription “Of Solomon.” Either David is praying on behalf of his son (1 Chron 29:19) or Solomon offers a prayer that rehearses David’s covenant hope (2 Samuel 7:12–16). Verse 20 is not part of the psalm proper; it is an editorial colophon that closes a specific anthology: the Davidic prayers gathered into what we now call Book II of the Psalter (Psalm 42–72). Five-Book Architecture of the Psalter Ancient Hebrew scribes divided the Psalms into five books, each ending with a doxology or colophon (41:13; 72:18-20; 89:52; 106:48; 150). Each closure employs unique formulae to mark completion. Psalm 72:18-19 provides the formal doxology; verse 20 is the bibliographic seal. This pattern mirrors Pentateuchal structure, reinforcing the Psalter’s role as Torah-in-song (cf. Psalm 1:2). Why “prayers of David” End Here 1. Editorial Collection. The heading “prayers of David” (תְפִלּוֹת דָּוִד) refers to a curated corpus (Psalm 3–41; 51–72). Early compilers inserted Asaph and Korah material without disturbing the overarching Davidic frame. 2. Covenantal Climax. Psalm 72 articulates universal dominion, righteous rule, global blessing, and resurrection-tinged mercy (vv. 5-17). These themes consummate David’s lifelong petitions that Yahweh’s kingly promise be realized through his line. 3. Linguistic Finality. The verb כָּלוּ (kālû, “are ended/fulfilled”) denotes completion with a teleological nuance (cf. Genesis 2:1; Daniel 9:24). It signals both the cessation of a literary unit and the satisfaction of David’s prophetic longing. Parallel with 2 Samuel 23:1 (“These are the last words of David”) Both texts serve as retrospective seals on David’s inspired contributions. Where 2 Samuel 23 concludes the historical narrative of David’s reign, Psalm 72:20 concludes the liturgical record of his prayers. Messianic Trajectory The early church read Psalm 72 Christologically (Matthew 2:11; Revelation 11:15). The final verse therefore marks not merely the end of a section but the arrival of eschatological focus: the Son of David whose resurrection secures the global blessings envisioned in the psalm (Acts 13:34-39). Later “David” Psalms Explained Psalms 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145 carry Davidic superscriptions yet stand outside the early compilation. Like posthumous letters appended to an author’s works, they were placed within Books III-V for theological symmetry rather than chronological sequence. Liturgical and Devotional Usage Ancient synagogue lectionaries placed Psalm 72 in daily royal prayers; the medieval church appointed it for Epiphany, viewing v. 20 as proof that Christ fulfills Davidic intercession. Modern worshippers read the verse as assurance that God answers prayer and completes His redemptive plan (Philippians 1:6). Conclusion Psalm 72:20 is considered the concluding verse for David’s prayers because it functions as an inspired editorial colophon that (1) signals the end of the primary Davidic anthology, (2) affirms the fulfillment of David’s covenantal petitions in Yahweh’s coming King, and (3) exhibits a recognized structural device attested across the manuscript tradition, thereby uniting literary, theological, and historical dimensions into one coherent closure. |
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