Messianic Blessing Delivers Enduring Peace in Psalm 72

“Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!” Psalm 72:1-2

The psalmist seeks and asks for God’s justice and righteousness. He desires this wisdom in order to judge with balanced scales.

Looking forward to the reign of Messiah, the psalmist wants prosperity—blessing—to be given for the people. He wants to see the poor defended and the needy delivered. In short, he looks forward to the power to see any and every oppressor crushed.

“May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!” Psalm 72:5-7

The psalmist longs to see that oppressors fear God while the sun or moon endures. Every day. Every night. All generations.

This will require a Messiah.

He asks that this rule be like rain upon the earth. He seeks a flourishing and peace for the righteous. He seeks power from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth. He longs for desert tribes to bow down to Messiah. He hopes for enemies to lick the dust and give tribute to his rule. Every tongue. Every knee. He seeks all nations at his service.

“For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.” Psalm 72:12-14

The psalmist’s motivation is pure. He seeks this Messianic dominion because a Savior delivers the needy and the poor. Those who have no helper now have him as king and an eternal King to come. He takes pity on the weak and saves them from oppression. He longs for long-lasting deliverance. He protects the weak from the violence. Their very life blood is precious to the king. He asks for long life but looks to a King without end. He asks for blessings in response to his ceaseless prayer. He requests abundance for his people that they may blossom and flourish. Eternally.

“May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!” Psalm 72:17

The psalmist seeks a name and fame that endures in perpetuity by the coming of Messiah. Again, his motivation is for the good of the people. He seeks a reign that is a blessing to them, and thus, a blessing to him. This blessing is not for his own enjoyment solely nor for his lifetime only. He seeks a name and fame for the God of Israel, as well.

The psalmist blesses the God of Israel. His God, who empowers his reign, alone does incredible deeds. He seeks the praise of the name of his glorious God. And he prays that his reign will be extended to the whole earth.

“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen! The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.” Psalm 72:18-20