Endowed With God s Righteousness and Justice. Psalm 72:1-20

Transcription

1 1 Commentary by Clyde M. Miller Questions by John C. Sewell Endowed With God s Righteousness and Justice Psalm 72:1-20

2 2 Text: Psalm 72:1-20: Endowed With God s Righteousness and Justice Commentary by Clyde M. Miller 1. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. 5. He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. 8. He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. 9. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. 10. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. 11. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. 12. For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help.

3 He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. 14. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. 15. Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. 16. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. 17. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. 18. Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. 20. This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. (NIV) Introduction: I. The setting: A. The psalm may have been used as part of a coronation ceremony, or at times of rededication, or both. B. This is the best example of the idealistic hope of the Lord for his king, and it encourages the king s obedience to God. II. The superscription: A. The title is probably attracted to verses where the place names are reminiscent of Solomon s reign. 1. Psalm 72:10, 11, The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of

4 4 Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) B. Solomon had a fleet of ships of Tarshish, which he sent forth with the fleet of Hiram king of Tyre (1 Kgs. 10:22) Kings 10:22, The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons. (NIV) C. This is most unusual, for during most of Israel s ancient history the nation was not a maritime nation because she had no suitable harbors. III. The structure: 1. Solomon hardly fits the description of the psalm (see the notes on verses 12-14). a. Psalm 72:12-14, For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (NIV) A. The psalm contains five paragraphs. 1. The first (1-4) is characterized by the fourfold your (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b). a. Psalm 72:1-4, Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteous-

5 5 ness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. (NIV) 2. The second (5-7) is marked by the thematic idea of the prolonged reign of the king, which brackets the paragraph (5, 7). a. Psalm 72:5-7, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (NIV) 3. The third (8-11) is marked by the theme of the universal dominion of the king, which brackets the paragraph (8, 11). a. Psalm 72:8-11, He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) 4. The fourth (12-14) provides a reason for the fulfillment of the wishes expressed in paragraphs 2 and 3.

6 6 IV. Outline: a. Psalm 72:12-14, For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (NIV) b. If the king cares for the defenseless, God will take care of him. 5. The fifth and final paragraph (15-17) summarizes and centralizes the themes already presented. a. Psalm 72:15-17, Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) 6. The doxology (18-19) closes Book II of the Psalter, and the subscript (20) reveals the thought of the collector or collectors. A. The psalm begins with a prayer for righteous rule (1-4), and moves on to blessings pronounced on the king (5-7). 1. Psalm 72:1-4, Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will

7 7 judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. (NIV) 2. Psalm 72:5-7, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (NIV) B. The universal reign of the king (8-11) leads on to a consideration of the king s justice (12-14). 1. Psalm 72:8-11, He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.the desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) 2. Psalm 72:12-14, For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (NIV) C. A declaration of the king s enduring fame (15-17) closes the psalm.

8 Psalm 72:15-17, Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) D. The doxology (18-19) provides a refreshing contrast to the closing verses of the psalm, for God s name is what is pronounced blessed. 1. Psalm 72:18, 19, Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (NIV) E. The subscript indicates a stage of psalm collection, but other psalms in the rest of the book are designated Davidic. Commentary: 1. Psalm 72:20, This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. Prayer for Righteous Rule Psalm 72:1-4, Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. (NIV)

9 9 Psalm 72:1, Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. I. Verses 1, 2 and 3 are written in incomplete synonymous parallelism, which means that a single thought is presented in each verse. A. King (1a) and royal son (1b) are synonyms. B. The word he (2a) indicates that only one person is under consideration. C. In the Hebrew, the phrase royal son is son of the king. D. Son of in Hebrew means one characterized by. E. Justice (1a) and righteousness (1b) are synonyms. F. Although the word endow is not written in the second line, it is to be understood. Psalm 72:2, He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. I. Verse 2a could be a future tense (NIV) or a Hebrew jussive expressing a wish or prayer, and so with verses 3-11 and 17. A. Psalm 72:3-11, 17, The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. He will

10 10 rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) B. The latter is more likely intended. C. Verse 2 likely reveals the duty of God s endowed king. 1. The king is expected to rule in righteousness and justice. 2. People and afflicted ones are synonymous expressions in this context, for the latter are the ones who would come to the king for redress of their cause. 3. The statement, He will judge or may he judge, is meant to apply to both lines. Psalm 72:3, The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. (NIV) I. Will bring carries over in thought to both lines. A. May he is probably better, continuing the prayer (and so through verse 11). B. Mountains and hills are synonyms, and prosperity and the fruit of righteousness are synonymous expressions.

11 11 C. The word for prosperity is shalom, which means peace, well-being, wholeness or completeness, and can be used of material prosperity, social peace, or spiritual wholeness. II. Right treatment of one another will cause God to allow their farming endeavors to be successful. A. It is interesting that the mountains and the hills are designated, for they would normally be the least productive of all. Psalm 72:4, He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. (NIV) I. Verse 4 employs a climactic triplet to express a progression of thought. A. The king s special duty is set forth in verse Defend (4a) and save (4b) are synonyms, and the afflicted and the children of the needy are synonymous expressions. 2. To these the king must give special attention and see that their needs are met. 3. He will (or May he ) crush the oppressor adds the thought of the poor being mistreated by the powerful in their society. Blessings on the King Psalm 72:5-7, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the

12 12 righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (NIV) Psalm 72:5, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. (NIV) I. Verses 5-7 employ synonymous parallelism. A. He will endure or May he is literally, you will (or May you ) be feared, with most versions. 1. The NIV follows the LXX (Septuagint Greek), which presupposes the transposition of an aleph and a resh, and mistakes an initial waw for a yodh, thus reading weya rik, may he prolong [his life], instead of yira uka. 2. The emendation fits the context better. a. The two lines thus become synonymous. II. Verses 5 and 7 employ hyperbole to wish the king a long reign. Psalm 72:6, He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. (NIV) I. The simile involving like means, May his reign be refreshing like the rain. A. This concept includes the synonymous second line. Psalm 72:7, In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (NIV) I. In the days of this faithful king the righteous will flourish.

13 13 A. This is an indication that God blesses the faithful person with the bounty of the earth. B. The second line involves hyperbole indicating a long reign. Universal Dominion of the King Psalm 72:8-11, He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) Psalm 72:8, He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. (NIV) I. Verses 8-11 imply the need for an obedient king and people (7a). A. Psalm 72:7, In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. (NIV) B. May fits better than will. II. Their prosperity involves a theme often found in Old Testament wisdom literature (Prov. 3:2,16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27, et al). A. Proverbs 3:2,16, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (NIV) B. Proverbs 4:10, Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. (NIV)

14 14 C. Proverbs 9:11, For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. (NIV) D. Proverbs 10:27, The fear of the LORD adds length to life, but the years of the wicked are cut short. (NIV) III. The River is the Euphrates, the ideal eastern boundary of Israel (1 Kgs. 4:21). A. 1 Kings 4:21, And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These countries brought tribute and were Solomon's subjects all his life. (NIV) B. The ends of the earth could be rendered the end of the land, meaning Israel. Psalm 72:9, The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. (NIV) I. May still is possible instead of will. II. Desert tribes doubtless indicates those of all the desert lands around Israel. III. Lick the dust refers to enemies that would be humiliated in subjection. Psalm 72:10, The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. (NIV) I. Tarshish probably is Tartesus in Spain, from which Solomon s fleet brought many varied goods (1 Kgs. 10:22).

15 15 A. 1 Kings 10:22, The king had a fleet of trading ships at sea along with the ships of Hiram. Once every three years it returned, carrying gold, silver and ivory, and apes and baboons. (NIV) II. Sheba is modern Yemen in southwestern Arabia, and Seba was in upper Egypt (Gen. 10:7). A. Genesis 10:7, The sons of Cush: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah: Sheba and Dedan. (NIV) Psalm 72:11, All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) I. May still serves the overall thought better than will. II. Verse 11 employs a synonymous couplet that summarizes verses The King s Justice Psalm 72:12-14, For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (NIV) Psalm 72:12, For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. (NIV) I. The king has at his disposal the power and authority to eradicate oppression within his territory, and God expects him to do so.

16 16 A. Solomon failed to follow the good example of David, his father, who ruled with justice (2 Sam. 8:15; 1 Kgs. 12:1-5) Samuel 8:15, David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. (NIV) 2. 1 Kings 12:1-5, Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all the Israelites had gone there to make him king. When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard this (he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon), he returned from Egypt. So they sent for Jeroboam, and he and the whole assembly of Israel went to Rehoboam and said to him: "Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but now lighten the harsh labor and the heavy yoke he put on us, and we will serve you." Rehoboam answered, "Go away for three days and then come back to me." So the people went away. (NIV) Psalm 72:13, He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. (NIV) I. Verse 13 repeats the thought of verse 12. Psalm 72:14, He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. (NIV) I. Solomon, rather than rescuing the people from oppression, was himself an oppressor (see the Kings reference in the note on verse 12). A. His oppression of the people is one of the issues that caused God to take ten of the twelve tribes from Solomon. II. It hardly seems, in view of verses 12-14, that Solomon was the author of Psalm 72.

17 17 The King s Enduring Fame Psalm 72:15-17, Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) Psalm 72:15, Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. (NIV) I. Long is added in some versions (ESV, NCV, NIV, RSV, NRSV), corresponding to the sentiment of verses 5, 7, and 17, and to correspond to the interjection, Long live the king!, often given at a king s coronation (1 Sam. 10:24; 2 Sam. 16:16; 2 Kgs. 11:12). A. Psalm 72:5, 7, 17, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) B. 1 Samuel 10:24, Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then the people shouted, "Long live the king!" (NIV) C. 2 Samuel 16:16, Then Hushai the Arkite, David's friend, went to Absalom and said to him, "Long live the king! Long live the king!" (NIV)

18 18 D. 2 Kings 11:12, Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. II. The prayer of verses 2-11 is resumed here. A. Psalm 72:2-11, He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. (NIV) Psalm 72:16, Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. (NIV) I. It would be most unusual for grain to flourish on the tops of hills. A. The expression is a hyperbole indicating abundant crops throughout the land (17a). II. For the location of Sheba, see the notes on verse 10.

19 19 Psalm 72:17, May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) I. Verse 17b reiterates verse 5a. A. Psalm 72:5, 17, He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. (NIV) B. Continue (RSV, NIV) is better than increase (NASB). 1. It translates a word that should be read yanin from nun, be drawn out, be perpetuated. C. Bless themselves (RSV) or be blessed, most versions, renders a Hebrew hithpael verb that can have a reflexive or passive meaning. 1. The reflexive reading would mean that they use the king s name in their pronouncements of blessings (cf. 17d). 2. The passive idea would mean that the king s subjects are blessed by his benevolent rule. 3. The latter better fits the tenor of the psalm. The Doxology and Subscript Psalm 72:18-20, Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name

20 20 forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. (NIV) Psalm 72:18, 19, Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. (NIV) I. Verses record the second doxology of the Psalter, thus closing Book II (Pss ) of the Psalter. A. Similar to the doxologies of Book I (Pss. 1-41), and Book III (Pss ), God is praised as the glorious one of Israel. B. The doxology of Book II adds the notation, who does marvelous deeds for Israel, and therefore should be glorified by all people. C. This is the fullest doxology. Psalm 72:20, This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. (NIV) I. Verse 20 supplies the subscript, a note indicating that the collector or collectors of Book II thought that the prayers of David were ended. II. Book II was obviously closed before later Books, for more psalms, scattered throughout Psalms , are attributed to David. Application: I. The Scriptures teach that, Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people (NKJV).

21 21 A. How much greater reproach exists when the leadership is corrupt. B. How great a blessing is enjoyed when the leaders are righteous and rule well. II. How Christians should pray for righteous leaders, and how we should exercise our American freedom to select leaders who respect God and his word!

22 22 Questions Psalm 72:1-20 (Questions based on NIV text.) 1. Who wrote Psalm 72? Give reasons for your answer. Consider verse 20 in your answer. 2. the with your, O God, the with your. He will your in, your ones with. 3. How will the mountains bring prosperity to the people? 4. How can it be said that the hills bring the fruit of righteousness? 5. The king will the among the and the

23 23 of the ; he will the. 6. Was the king referenced in verse 4 Solomon? Give reasons for your answer. 7. How can it be said that the king will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations? How may verse 5 be worded to best convey its meaning? 8. He (the king) will be like on a, like the. 9. What is the meaning of verse 6? 10. In his the will ; will till the is no more.

24 List all the kings, biblical and secular, of whom these things (see verses 4,6,7) can be said. 12. From what sea to what sea and from what river will the king reign? Does the expression, the ends of the earth, mean the king in question will rule worldwide, universally? If not, what does this expression mean? 13. What does his enemies will lick the dust mean? 14. The of and of will bring to him; the of and will him. 15. Locate Tarshish, Sheba and Seba.

25 will to him and all will. To what king does this verse refer? Is the verse to be taken literally? If not, what is its meaning? 17. According to verses 12-14, what will this king do and for whom will he do it? 18. may he! May from be given him. May ever for him and him. 19. What are our duties to governmental officials?

26 Under what figures did the author of Psalm 72 pray for prosperity in the land? 21. What is Lebanon? Where is it located? In what way was it a symbol of prosperity? 22. May his ; may it as as the. Of whom does this verse speak? 23. All will be through him, and they will call him. Of whom does this verse speak?

27 be to the, the of, who alone does. be to his ; may the be with his. and. 25. How can it be that Psalm 72 concludes the of of when other psalms attributed to David are found in other subsequently located psalms such as Psalm 86, 122 and 144? 26. What is the setting of Psalm 72? 27. Explain the superscription of Psalm Give in detail the structure of Psalm 72.

28 Outline Psalm List in pairs all the synonyms/synonymous expressions found in Psalm Explain how a climactic triplet is used in verse 4 to express a progression of thought. 32. To what does Septuagint Greek refer?

29 How do verses 5 and 7 employ hyperbole? 34. Is prosperity a good thing? What does the Old Testament wisdom literature say about prosperity? 35. What is the biblical use and significance of the expression, Long may he live! or Long live the king! 36. Compare the doxologies found at the ends of Books I, II and III of the psalms.

30 What applications can be made of the teachings of Psalm 72? 38. What good things does the king of Psalm 72 do for the people? 39. Why did the king act as he did? 40. What motivates rulers, politicians?