Psalm 72

A Psalm for Solomon.

1Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.footnote a

2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

3The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

4He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

5They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

6He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.

7In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.footnote b

8He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

11Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.

12For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

13He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

14He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised.footnote c

16There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.

17His name shall endure for ever: his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed.footnote dfootnote e

18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

19And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

20The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.

Endow the King with Your Justice

Of Solomon.

1Endow the king with Your justice, O God,and the son of the king with Your righteousness. 2May he judge Your people with righteousnessand Your afflicted with justice.

3May the mountains bring peace to the people,and the hills bring righteousness. 4May he vindicate the afflicted among the people;may he save the children of the needyand crush the oppressor. 5May they fear himfootnote aas long as the sun shines,as long as the moon remains,through all generations. 6May he be like rain that falls on freshly cut grass,like spring showers that water the earth. 7May the righteous flourish in his daysand prosperity abounduntil the moon is no more.

8May he rule from sea to sea,and from the Euphratesfootnote bto the ends of the earth. 9May the nomads bow before him,and his enemies lick the dust. 10May the kings of Tarshish and distant shores bring tribute;may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. 11May all kings bow down to himand all nations serve him.

12For he will deliver the needy who cry outand the afflicted who have no helper. 13He will take pity on the poor and needyand save the lives of the oppressed. 14He will redeem them from oppression and violence,for their blood is precious in his sight.

15Long may he live!May gold from Sheba be given him.May people ever pray for him;may they bless him all day long. 16May 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,the people of its cities like the grass of the field. 17May his name endure forever;may his name continuefootnote cas long as the sun shines.In him may all nations be blessed;may they call him blessed.

18Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,who alone does marvelous deeds. 19And blessed be His glorious name forever;may all the earth be filled with His glory.Amen and amen.

20Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.