“On that day,
The root of Jesse,
Shall stand
As a signal
To the peoples.
The nations shall inquire of him.
His dwelling shall be glorious.”
This new ideal king who is from the Davidic root of Jesse will stand as a signal to all people. Every country will inquire of him. He will be somewhat like King Solomon with his glorious palaces. Let the good times roll!
“He delivers
The needy when they call.
He delivers
The poor.
He delivers
Those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak.
He has pity on the needy.
He saves the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence
He redeems their life.
Precious is their blood in his sight.”
This ideal king helps the needy when they ask for help. He delivers the poor and those who have no one to help them. He has pity on the weak and the needy. He saves them from oppression and violence as he redeems their lives. Their blood is precious in his sight.
A psalm of Solomon
“Give the king your justice!
O God!
Give your righteousness
To a king’s son!
May he judge your people
With righteousness!
May he judge your poor
With justice!
May the mountains yield prosperity
For the people!
May the hills yield
In righteousness!
May he defend
The cause of the poor people!
May he give
Deliverance to the needy!
May he
Crush the oppressor!”
Psalm 72 is a long blessing for a king. The only name mentioned is King Solomon, so that it might have been on his coronation. This is more or less a portrait of an ideal king. In this first section there is an emphasis on just judgments, especially for the helpless and the weak. The king is to rule with the justice and the righteousness of God. The mountains and the hills were to bring prosperity to the people. However, the primary task of the king was to defend the poor and the needy so that they would be delivered from their oppressors.
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 