PSALM LXXII _David prays to God for Solomon_, 1; _prescribes Solomon's work_, 2; _the effects of his administration_, 3-7; _the extent of his dominion_, 8-11; _his mercy and kindness to the poor, and the perpetuity of his_ _praise_, 12-17. _God is blessed for his power and goodness; and the p... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:2. _HE SHALL JUDGE THY PEOPLE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS_] With justice and mercy mixed, or according to _equity_. _AND THY POOR WITH JUDGMENT._] Every one according to the _law_ which thou hast _appointed_; but with especial tenderness to the _poor_ and _afflicted_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:3. _THE MOUNTAINS SHALL BRING PEACE_] Perhaps _mountains_ and _hills_ are here taken in their _figurative_ sense, to signify _princes_ and _petty governors_; and it is a prediction that all governors of provinces and magistrates should administer equal justice in their several depart... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:5. _THEY SHALL FEAR THEE_] There is no sense in which this can be spoken of _Solomon_, nor indeed of any other man: it belongs to _Jesus Christ_, and to him alone. He is the _Prince of peace_, who shall be _feared_ and _reverenced_ "through all generations, and as long as the sun and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:6. _HE SHALL COME DOWN LIKE RAIN UPON THE MOWN GRASS_] The word גז _gez_, which we translate _mown grass_, more properly means _pastured grass_ or _pastured land_; for the _dew_ of the night is intended to restore the grass which has been eaten in the course of the day. This very ide... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:7. _IN HIS DAYS SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH_] There was nothing but peace and prosperity all the days of Solomon: for, "In his days Judah and Israel dwelt safely; every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba;" 1 Kings 4:25. _SO LONG AS THE MOON ENDURE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:8. _HE SHALL HAVE DOMINION ALSO FROM SEA TO SEA_] The best comment on this, as it refers to Solomon, may be found in 1 Kings 4:21; 1 Kings 4:24: "And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms, from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt; for he had dominion... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:9. _THEY THAT DWELL IN THE WILDERNESS_] The ציים _tsiyim_, termed _Ethiopians_ by the _Vulgate, Septuagint, AEthiopic_, and _Arabic_. The _Syriac_ terms them _the islands_. But it is likely that those who dwell by the sea-coasts, and support themselves by navigation and fishing, are... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:10. _THE KINGS OF TARSHISH AND OF THE ISLES SHALT BRING_ _PRESENTS_] Though Solomon did not reign over _Cilicia_, of which _Tarsus_ was the capital, yet he might receive _gifts_, not in the sense of _tribute_; for מנחה _minchah_, the word here used, signifies a _gratitude_ or _friend... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:11. _ALL KINGS SHALL FALL DOWN BEFORE_] They shall reverence him on account of his great wisdom, riches, c. _ALL NATIONS SHALT SERVE HIM._] All the surrounding nations. This and the preceding verses are fully explained by 1 Kings 10:23-11: "King Solomon exceeded all the kings of th... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:12. _HE SHALL DELIVER THE NEEDY WHEN HE CRIETH_] The poor and the rich shall, in the administration of justice, be equally respected; and the strong shall not be permitted to oppress the weak.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:14. _FROM DECEIT AND VIOLENCE_] Because they are poor and uneducated, they are liable to be _deceived_; and because they are _helpless_, they are liable to _oppression_; but his equal justice shall duly consider these cases; and no man shall suffer because he is deceived, though the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:15. _TO HIM SHALL BE GIVEN OF THE GOLD OF SHEBA_] The Arabians shall pay him tribute. _PRAYER ALSO SHALL BE MADE FOR HIM CONTINUALLY_] In all conquered countries _two_ things marked the subjection of the people: 1. Their money was stamped with the name of the conqueror. 2. They we... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:16. _THERE SHALL BE A HANDFUL OF CORN_] The earth shall be exceedingly fruitful. Even a handful of corn sown on the top of a mountain shall grow up strong and vigorous; and it shall be, in reference to _crops_ in _other times_, as the _cedars of Lebanon_ are to _common trees_ or _shr... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:17. _HIS NAME SHALL ENDURE FOR EVER_] Hitherto this has been literally fulfilled. Solomon is celebrated in the _east_ and in the _west_, in the _north_ and in the _south_; his writings still remain, and are received, both by _Jews_ and by _Gentiles_, as a revelation from God; and it... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:18. _BLESSED_ BE _THE LORD GOD_] David foresaw all Solomon's _grandeur_; his _justice, equity_, and the _happiness_ of the _subjects_ under his government; and his soul has, in consequence, sensations of pleasure and gratitude to God, which even his own wondrous pen cannot describe.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:19. _LET THE WHOLE EARTH BE FILLED_ WITH _HIS GLORY_] Let the Gospel-the light, the Spirit, and power of Christ, fill the world. _AMEN_] So _let_ it be. _AND AMEN._] So it _shall be_. Hallelujah!... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 72:20. _THE PRAYERS OF DAVID THE SON OF JESSE ARE ENDED._] This was most probably the _last Psalm_ he ever wrote. There may be several in the after part of this book which were written by him; but they were probably composed in a former period of his life, for this was the _end_ of the... [ Continue Reading ]