What does Psalms 72:20 Mean?

Study Notes

ended
Lit. to be ended, i.e. in complete answer. 2 Samuel 23:1-4 .

Verse Meaning

This verse was probably an editorial addition, rather than a part of Psalm 72 , in view of what it says. At least18 psalms that follow this one were David"s ( Psalm 86; Psalm 101; Psalm 103; Psalm 108-110; Psalm 122; Psalm 124; Psalm 131; Psalm 133; Psalm , 138-145). Consequently this verse may have ended an earlier edition of the Psalm rather than the present one. However, this verse also separates the preceding psalms associated with David from those of Asaph that follow immediately ( Psalm 73-83). Some scholars believe this verse refers to all the Davidic psalms in the first two Books, ^[1] but others believe it refers only to his psalms in Book Two. ^[2] Interestingly, the word "prayers" is a synonym for "psalms" as used here. Prayers and praises are the two most characteristic marks of the Psalter. [source][source]

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The theme of Psalm 72is God"s just and righteous rule over the earth. Solomon prayed that God might work through him and his administration to bring such a rule to pass. God answered Solomon"s petitions for the most part. However, because Solomon proved unfaithful to God, his reign was not as great a blessing as it might have been. When Solomon"s successor, Jesus Christ, returns to earth and establishes His reign, the conditions Solomon requested will find perfect fulfillment. ^[3] For us, Solomon"s petitions constitute a model of what the godly should desire-and pray for-regarding God"s just rule on the earth (cf. Matthew 6:10). [source][source]

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Context Summary

How is it that lands so distant as Tarshish, by the Strait of Gibraltar; so rich as Sheba and Seba in south Arabia; tribes so wild as the Bedouin of the desert; and nations so imperial as those beyond the River, shall own the sway of Christ? The answer is given in Psalms 72:12 -For! The world is full of sorrow and injustice, and He who can stanch flowing wounds and mete out justice to the oppressed, will win all hearts and become the acknowledged Leader of mankind.

He shall live! We cannot forget our Lord's own words: "I am He that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore," Revelation 1:18. Jesus is possessed of the ageless life of the eternal Word, of the human life which He bore through His sojourn on earth, and of that indissoluble life in virtue of which He exercises His priesthood, Hebrews 7:17, r.v. margin.

"We pray for Christ," says; Augustine, "when we pray for His Church, because it is His body; and when we say, "˜Thy kingdom come.'" His name shall have issue, Psalms 72:17, r.v., margin. It will reproduce itself. The children of "the Name" are found in every land, and will ultimately people the world.

For Review Questions, see the e-Sword Book Comments. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 72

¹  David, praying for Solomon, shows the goodness and glory of God's kingdom
¹⁸  He blessed God