Psalm 72 – The King’s Son
In Psalm 72 – the king’s son, the writer praises the king’s son. Who is this son? And why is he deserving of praise?
Psalm 72
Psalm 72 is a prayer for the king’s son. The psalm’s superscript says, “Of Solomon”, referencing David’s son and successor, Solomon. Was it a prayer by Solomon, for himself, asking God to help him be a worthy king? Or a prayer by David for his son, as suggested by the concluding line? Either is possible. The writer prays that the king will have God’s righteousness in all his dealings.
“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.” (1-3)
The psalmist continues to pray for the king’s son:
“May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.
Let he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.” (4-7)
He prays that all nations may bow down before him:
“May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
Let the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him.” (8-11)
Characteristics of the King’s Son
The psalmist names the characteristics that make the king’s son truly great:
“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.” (12-14)
What characterizes a great leader is their care for the poor and needy, the writer states. Then he returns to his prayers for Solomon:
“Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him.
May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.
Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway.
May the crops flourish like Lebanon and thrive like the grass of the field.
May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun.” (15-17)
Because of his compassion and justice, his name will endure forever, as long as the sun.
After words of praise, the writer states: “This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse,” thus ending the section of prayers attributed to David.
Praying for our Children
David, the great leader of the Hebrew nation, was still a parent. As a parent he had many reasons to pray. He lost one child at birth and his son Absalom rebelled, leading an army against him. All reasons for heartache. David prayed for his children, just as we pray for our children. In this case, he prayed for his son Solomon, praying that he might rule with justice.
In the parable of the prodigal son, we see another parent praying for his son and suffering because of his son’s actions. The prodigal son asks for his inheritance then goes off and squanders it on wild living. For the prodigal son to ask for his inheritance while his father was still alive, was to effectively ask for his death. Many fathers would have disinherited their son for even asking. But not the loving father in the story. When the prodigal returned home destitute, the father accepts him back as his son. Perhaps the focus of the story is meant to be on the father and his exceptional love for this child?
Henry Nouwen explores this parable from the perspective of each of the three main characters in his book, The Return of the Prodigal Son, reflecting on the picture by Rembrandt with the same title. At one point he reflects on ways that Jesus is the prodigal son, who gives up everything, leaves his home in heaven, to come to earth, suffering all that we humans suffer. Jesus, the king’s son, God’s son, comes to earth to teach us how to live, and that we have a God who knows what it is to be human.
Who is the King’s Son?
So, who is the king’s son in Psalm 72 – the king’s son? Solomon? Would David have prayed such an extravagant prayer for his son, that he rule all nations? Or was he reflecting on a future King, Jesus? Or is the psalm meant for all leaders? Perhaps all three options?
The words of the psalm have a message for all who are in positions of power and leadership: to follow the example of Jesus, the king’s son, who humbly came down from heaven and led with justice and concern for the poor.
Are you in a position of leadership? How does this psalm speak to you?
(For another take on this Psalm see: Psalm 72 – Vision of a New Social Order or Psalm 72 – Is It Possible to Create a World Where It Is Easier to be Good?)
This post is part of a series of blog posts on the Psalms. Sign up to follow this blog and receive a free copy of Still Dancing, the second book in my Dancing through Life Series. click here to sign up
(Please note – in order to help ensure you receive email with link to new book, please add my email, patricia@patriciamrobertson.com to your contact list. Some servers are quick to send newsletters to spam or other boxes.)
Leave a Reply