Psalms 72

A Psalm for Solomon.- That David was the author of this Psalm, we may be satisfied from the conclusion of it. From whence we may also gather, that it was made by him towards the conclusion of his life: when, by his command, Nathan the prophet, and Zadok the priest, took Solomon and set him upon his throne, (1 Kings i. 3D, &c.) that David might have the satisfaction to see all the great men do * homage to Solomon, and acknowledge him for their suc- [rSALtf LXtfll. cccding sovereign before he died: which you find thfcy did, (see 1 Chron.xxix.24.) And thereupon the spirit of thfc holy man being transported with an extraordinary joy, ho indited this Hymn, and sent it to Solomon: wherein he first recommends him to the Divine benediction, and then instructs him how to make his people happy; by describing the qualities of a good king, and the prosperous state of the kingdom under his government. Which his eyes began to behold before he died, (1 Chron. xxix. 23.) and he hoped others should behold when he was gone: to the example and admiration of all following generations. For what we translate in the future time, as if it were a prophecy, may be construed to be only a prayer. Which he carries on in so high a strain, in some places, that the words had not a full accomplishment in Solomon, nor in any one else, till the appearing of that great King, Christ. Of the happiness of whose reign, and of the justice of whose government, together with the mightiness, and the largeness, and the eternal continuance of his kingdom, his father David here prophesies. Of that there can be no reasonable doubt (for the Jews themselves acknowledge it, as appears by the Chaldce Paraphrase, Midrasch Tehillim, the book Siphre, and many others): but that in this Psalm he prophesies of nothing else, and hath no respect to Solomon, as Theodoret supposes in his interpretation, seems as far wide from the truth, as to say, that he looks no farther than Solomon. For the Psalm doth in part agree as aptly (if not more) to Solomon, as the name of Solomon doth to the Messiah, our Saviour Christ: who was indeed the Prince of Peace, and left his peace with his disciples when he left the world (as Theodoret notes), and made peace wheresoever his doctrine was entertained, and his government settled over men’s hearts. Yet he is not the only person here spoken of; but, as St* JeTome hath excellently stated the matter, in Solomon himself there was the shadow and image of the truth, which was more perfectly fulfilled in our Lord and Saviour. Vfer. 12. For he shall diliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, diid him that hath no helper.] Nor shall they bb induced to these submissions so much by the greatness of his power, the vastness of his riches, and the niagnifi-. crjhfcc Of his cotirt, as by the fame of his justice, mercy, and -compassion (wherein he shall resemble the Lord Christ). For no sooner shall any miserable wretch, who hath no friend in the world, implore his protection, but he shail instantly succour, defend, and relieve him.

Psalms 72:1

\jrIVE the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. O God, the suprefnc judge of the world, bestow I beseech thee upon Solomon, who is now anointed to sit on my throne, such aright judgment in all things, and such uprightness and integrity of heart, that he may govern thy people according to thy laws; and, tempering justice with mercy, may be a worthy successor to mo, who have now resigned my charge unto him. Vcr. 2. He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.] The weight of which I know is so exceeding great, that he needs thy special guidance and assistance: by which he may be able to administer all affairs, with such impartial justice and clemency; that the poorest subjects he hath may be as dear unto him, as they are unto thee; and recover their rights, or be preserved in them, from the power of those who would oppress them.

Psalms 72:3

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. So shall all parts of the kingdom be most happy; living in peace, and enjoying the blessed fruits of it: while all the judges of the land, both great and small, make it their study to maintain them in their just rights and liberties.

Psalms 72:4

lie shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the Children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the Oppressor. And his authority is not abused to the of>prcs* sion of the poor; and the making those more miserable, who have nothing but beggary left them for their inheritance: but employed for their defence and preservation; and for the crushing of those, that, by fraud and force, are injurious to them. Vcr. 5. They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.] Which righteous administration shall redound to hifc everlasting honour, and win him such reverence and observance froni hife people, as shall make him a lively emblem of the great King, Christ: whose happy subjects shall never cease to worship and praise him day and night to the world’s end. Vcr. G. He shall come down like rain upon the moum grass; as showers that tvater the earth.] For he shall not endeavour to be formidable to them like a tyrant, whose government imitates the thunder, storms, and tempests: but condescend most graciously to the meanest; and rule them in so soft and gentle a manner^ as shall make his authority no less acceptable and beneficial, than the rain is to the after-grass, or dripping showers, which fall in the summer heat, to refresh the parched earth.

Psalms 72:7

In his days shall the righteoiis jlourish; and abundance of peace, so long as the moon endureth. The wicked shall have no preferment in his days; but righteous and virtuous men shall grow to a great height, and flourish as the plants do after those cherishing showers: whereby such lasting peace and tranquillity shall be established, as nothing can exceed, but the blessed times of the Prince of Peace, whose kingdom sh&ll have no end. Vcr. 8. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.^ Nor shall his empire be confined within the bounds of Judea; but, according to the promise made to our forefather Abraham,’ (Gen. xv.l8.)and renewed to his children, (Exod. xxiii.31. Deut. i. 7. xi. 24. Josh. i. 3, 4.) he shall extend it from the Red Sea to the sea of, the Philistines, ftnd from the river Euphrates to the bordfcr of Egypt; (1 Kings ir. 21. 2 Chron: ix. 2G. Ezra iv. 20.) and be the most illustrious type of that glorious kingdom of Christ, which shall spread itself throughout the world.

Psalms 72:9

Tliey that dwell in the wilderness shall boiv before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust. The most bafbarous nations shall come and do him homage; and they that refuse it shall be humbled, and forced at last to submit and prostrate themselves with the lowliest reverence at his feet.

Psalms 72:10

Tlie kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall brifig presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts. The kings of’ the most distant countries, they of Tarshish, (1 Kings x. 22.) as well as Cyprus and Crete, and the rest of the isles, shall honour him with their presents; and so shall they of Arabia, as far as the Persian Gulf, approach him with gifts. Vcr. 11. Yea, all kings shall fall down before him; all nations shall serve him.] Yea, so many kings and nations shall make their obeisance, arid subject themselves unto him; that it shall foreshadow the large extent of the kingdom of Christ, who shall be universally acknowledged, worshipped, and obeyed, by all kings, and all nations of the earth.

Psalms 72:13

He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy J. He shall take pity upon sueh helpless creatures, and add no heavier burden unto that of their lamentable poverty; nor shall he be prodigal of their lives, but as tenderly secure them as those of his greatest subjects.

Psalms 72:14

He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight. He shall preserve them from being ruined, either by the fraud or violence of those who are too subtle or too mighty for them; and love them so dearly, as never to satisfy his own ambition, eovetousness, or revenge, with the expense of the precious treasure of their blood.

Psalms 72:15

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold ofSheba: prayer also shall be made for him; continually and daily shall he be praised. Whereby his reign shall be long and prosperous; and the longer he reigns, the richer presents shall be brought unto him (as there shall be to Christ from the eastern countries): together with their perpetual prayers for his continued prosperity; and the highest praises and commendations, whieh shall ever be in men’s mouths, of his just and gracious government.

Psalms 72:16

There shall be a handful of corn in the earth vpaii the top of the moiintains; the fruit thereof shall shake tike Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.] Which God shall bless with such plenty, that a handful of corn sown in the earth, even upbti the top of barren mountains, shall spring up so thick, with ears so plump and full, that when they are shaken with the wind they shall make a noise like the cedars of Lebanon; nor shall the city be less fruitful than the country, but become as populous and well stored with all good things as the earth is with grass, or flowers in the spring.

Psalms 72:17

His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun; and men shall be blessed in him; all nations sliall call him blessed. His memory and fame shall never die, hut be propagated from father to son, aslorig as the sun snail shine; and when they would wish well to another, they shall say, God make thee as happy as Solomon; for all people that hear of him shall look on him as the most excellent prince that ever was, except the king Messiah, whom all nations shall magnify and extol, and above all things desire his blessing.

Psalms 72:18

Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who’ only doeth wondrous things. For which good hopes, and for all other his benefits, I renew my thanks, (1 Chron. xxix. 10.) to the great Lord and Sovereign of all the world; who hath graciously chosen Israel for his peculiar people: let him be most heartily blessed and praised, whose bounty is stupendous, and incomparably beyond all that can be said or thought of it.

Psalms 72:19

And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen, and amen.* Let his superferhin’eht perfections be for ever celebrated with our praises; ahdiiOt with ours only; but let the whole world be possessed with a sense of the surpassing greatness of bis wisdom, power, and love, and join together with us in his praises. Let it be so, let it be so; let us all consent to say again and again, The Lord be praised, the Lord bepfaisfed.

Psalms 72:20

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended. This was the last Psalm which David the son of Jesse composed, not long before he died: (and was all of his that the collector of this book could find before he published it.) PART III.