2 He will judge thy people with righteousness, and thine afflicted with judgment. 3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, by righteousness. 4 He will do justice to the afflicted of the people; he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor. 5 They shall fear thee as long as sun and moon endure, from generation to generation. 6 He shall come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. 7 In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon be no more. 8 And he shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. 9 The dwellers in the desert shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust. 10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer tribute: 11 Yea, all kings shall bow down before him; all nations shall serve him. 12 For he will deliver the needy who crieth, and the afflicted, who hath no helper; 13 He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy: 14 He will redeem their souls from oppression and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight. 15 And he shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba; and prayer shall be made for him continually: all the day shall he be blessed. 16 There shall be abundance of corn in the earth, upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon; and they of the city shall bloom like the herb of the earth. 17 His name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall bless themselves in him; all nations shall call him blessed.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Psalm 72:2-17
Commentary on Psalm 72:2-17
(Read Psalm 72:2-17)
This is a prophecy of the kingdom of Christ; many passages in it cannot be applied to the reign of Solomon. There were righteousness and peace at first in the administration of his government; but, before the end of his reign, there were troubles and unrighteousness. The kingdom here spoken of is to last as long as the sun, but Solomon's was soon at an end. Even the Jewish expositors understood it of the kingdom of the Messiah. Observe many great and precious promises here made, which were to have full accomplishment only in the kingdom of Christ. As far as his kingdom is set up, discord and contentions cease, in families, churches, and nations. The law of Christ, written in the heart, disposes men to be honest and just, and to render to all their due; it likewise disposes men to live in love, and so produces abundance of peace. Holiness and love shall be lasting in Christ's kingdom. Through all the changes of the world, and all the changes of life, Christ's kingdom will support itself. And he shall, by the graces and comforts of his Spirit, come down like rain upon the mown grass; not on that cut down, but that which is left growing, that it may spring again. His gospel has been, or shall be, preached to all nations. Though he needs not the services of any, yet he must be served with the best. Those that have the wealth of this world, must serve Christ with it, do good with it. Prayer shall be made through him, or for his sake; whatever we ask of the Father, should be in his name. Praises shall be offered to him: we are under the highest obligations to him. Christ only shall be feared throughout all generations. To the end of time, and to eternity, his name shall be praised. All nations shall call HIM blessed.