Catholic Commentary on Psalm 72

"May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. Then all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed." (Psalm 72:17)

The Messianic King

Psalm 72 is attributed to Solomon, and it is the last psalm in the second book of the Psalter. It is a royal psalm that prays for the ideal king, and its vision so exceeds any historical king of Israel that the Church has always read it as ultimately referring to the Messiah. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The king who perfectly embodies God's justice and righteousness is the one who perfectly reflects the character of God himself.

The scope of the reign described in this psalm is universal and eternal: from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. All kings will bow down, all nations will serve him. His name will endure as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him. St. Justin Martyr and Origen both read Psalm 72 as a description of the universal reign of Christ, and the liturgy of Epiphany has always used it alongside the visit of the Magi: the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will present him gifts, the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.

The Defender of the Poor

The most consistent quality of the ideal king in Psalm 72 is his care for the poor and vulnerable: He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. 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. The king who embodies God's justice is identified above all by his protection of those who have no protection. This is the Christ of the Beatitudes and the parable of the sheep and goats: the one who comes to serve and to save, whose kingdom belongs to the poor in spirit.

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, the reign of Psalm 72 has begun but is not yet complete. The King has come. His name endures. All nations are being blessed through him. The kingdom of justice and righteousness is being built one act of mercy at a time. Be a citizen of this kingdom today: defend the afflicted, save the needy, resist the oppressor. The King notices.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, King of kings, endow your reign with justice and righteousness. Defend the afflicted and save the needy. Let your name endure as long as the sun. Let all nations be blessed through you and call you blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, who alone does marvellous deeds. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

72
Endow the King with Your Justice
(1 Kings 3:1–15; 2 Chronicles 1:1–13; Psalms 45:1–17)
Of Solomon.
 
1 Endow the king with Your justice, O God,
and the son of the king with Your righteousness.
2 May he judge Your people with righteousness
and Your afflicted with justice.
 
3 May the mountains bring peace to the people,
and the hills bring righteousness.
4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people;
may he save the children of the needy
and crush the oppressor.
5 May they fear him * 72:5 LXX He shall endure as long as the sun shines,
as long as the moon remains,
through all generations.
6 May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass,
like spring showers that water the earth.
7 May the righteous flourish in his days
and prosperity abound,
until the moon is no more.
 
8 May he rule from sea to sea,
and from the Euphrates † 72:8 Hebrew the River to the ends of the earth.
9 May the nomads bow before him,
and his enemies lick the dust.
10 May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
11 May all kings bow down to him
and all nations serve him.
 
12 For he will deliver the needy who cry out
and the afflicted who have no helper.
13 He will take pity on the poor and needy
and save the lives of the oppressed.
14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence,
for their blood is precious in his sight.
 
15 Long may he live!
May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him;
may they bless him all day long.
16 May there be an abundance of grain in the land;
may it sway atop the hills.
May its fruit trees flourish like the forests of Lebanon,
and its people like the grass of the field.
17 May his name endure forever;
may his name continue‡ 72:17 Or increase as long as the sun shines.
In him may all nations be blessed;
may they call him blessed.
 
18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who alone does marvelous deeds.
19 And blessed be His glorious name forever;
may all the earth be filled with His glory.
 
Amen and amen.
 
20 Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.

*72:5 72:5 LXX He shall endure

†72:8 72:8 Hebrew the River

‡72:17 72:17 Or increase

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