A Prayer for the King
Of Solomon. 72:title Ps 127 title
1 God, give your justice to the king
and your righteousness to the king’s son. 72:1 1Kg 3:9; 1Ch 22:12–13; Ps 24:5
2 He will judge your people with righteousness
and your afflicted ones with justice. 72:2 Is 9:7; 11:2–5; 32:1
3 May the mountains bring well-being 72:3 Or peace, also in v. 7 to the people
and the hills, righteousness. 72:3 Is 11:9; 52:7; 55:12
4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people,
help the poor,
and crush the oppressor. 72:4 Ps 109:31; Is 11:4
5 May they fear you 72:5 LXX reads May he continue while the sun endures
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. 72:5 Ps 89:36–37
6 May the king be like rain that falls on the cut grass,
like spring showers that water the earth. 72:6 Dt 32:2; 2Sm 23:3–4; Hs 6:3
7 May the righteous 72:7 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Jer read May righteousness flourish in his days
and well-being abound
until the moon is no more. 72:7 Ps 37:11; Is 2:4; 60:21
8 May he rule from sea to sea
and from the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth. 72:8 Gn 15:18; Ex 23:31; Zch 9:10
9 May desert tribes kneel before him
and his enemies lick the dust. 72:9 Ps 22:29; Is 49:23; Mc 7:17
10 May the kings of Tarshish
and the coasts and islands bring tribute,
the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 72:10 1Kg 10:22; 2Ch 9:21; Is 60:6
11 Let all kings bow in homage to him,
all nations serve him. 72:11 Ps 86:9; 138:4; Is 49:23
12 For he will rescue the poor who cry out
and the afflicted who have no helper. 72:12 Jb 29:12–17
13 He will have pity on the poor and helpless
and save the lives of the poor. 72:13 Pr 19:17; 28:8
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their lives are 72:14 Lit their blood is precious 72:14 Or valuable in his sight. 72:14 Ps 69:18; 116:15
15 May he live long!
May gold from Sheba be given to him.
May prayer be offered for him continually,
and may he be blessed all day long. 72:15 Is 60:6
16 May there be plenty of grain in the land;
may it wave on the tops of the mountains.
May its crops be like Lebanon.
May people flourish in the cities
like the grass of the field. 72:16 Jb 5:25; Ps 104:16
17 May his name endure forever;
as long as the sun shines,
may his fame increase.
May all nations be blessed by him
and call him blessed. 72:17 Gn 12:2–3; 22:18; Ps 89:36
18 Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel,
who alone does wonders. 72:18 Jb 9:10; Ps 86:10; 136:4
19 Blessed be his glorious name forever;
the whole earth is filled with his glory. 72:19 Nm 14:21; Is 6:3
Amen and amen.
20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are concluded. 72:20 2Sm 23:1