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Psalm 72[a]

A Prayer for the King

Of Solomon.

I

O God, give your judgment to the king;
    your justice to the king’s son;[b](A)
That he may govern your people with justice,
    your oppressed with right judgment,(B)
That the mountains may yield their bounty for the people,
    and the hills great abundance,(C)
That he may defend the oppressed among the people,
    save the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 72 A royal Psalm in which the Israelite king, as the representative of God, is the instrument of divine justice (Ps 72:1–4, 12–14) and blessing (Ps 72:5–7, 15–17) for the whole world. The king is human, giving only what he has received from God. Hence intercession must be made for him. The extravagant language is typical of oriental royal courts.
  2. 72:2 The king…the king’s son: the crown prince is the king’s son; the prayer envisages the dynasty.

Psalm 72

Of Solomon.

Endow the king with your justice,(A) O God,
    the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,(B)
    your afflicted ones with justice.

May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
    the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted(C) among the people
    and save the children of the needy;(D)
    may he crush the oppressor.(E)

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