Psalms 72:8-11

Psalms 72:8-11

[8] He shall have dominion  also from sea  and from the river  unto the ends  of the earth.  [9] They that dwell in the wilderness  shall bow  before  him; and his enemies  shall lick  the dust.  [10] The kings  of Tarshish  and of the isles  shall bring  presents:  the kings  of Sheba  and Seba  shall offer  gifts.  [11] Yea, all kings  shall fall down  before him: all nations  shall serve  him.

What does Psalms 72:8-11 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

It was not a sign of egotism that Solomon requested a universal dominion, as Psalm 72:12-14 make clear (cf. 1 Chronicles 4:10). The "river" is the Euphrates, the most significant river in terms of the land promises God gave to Abraham and his descendants. "Tarshish" probably refers to Tartessus in southwest Spain, "Sheba" to modern Yemen in southwestern Arabia, and "Seba" to upper (southern) Egypt, which is now Sudan.
"Extension, not limit, is the idea conveyed. The world belongs to God: may he confer on His representative a world-wide dominion! a hope to be realized only in the universal kingdom of Christ." [1]