Psalms 72

The reign of a righteous king

Of Solomon. Endow the king with Your justice, O God, and the son of the king with Your righteousness. ²May he judge Your people with righteousness and 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 needy and crush the oppressor. ⁵May they fear him as 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 days and prosperity abound, until the moon is no more.a ⁸May he rule from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to 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.b ¹¹May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him. ¹²For he will deliver the needy who cry out and the afflicted who have no helper.c

¹³He will take pity on the poor and needy and save the lives of the oppressed. ¹⁴He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their blood is precious in his sight.d 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, and its people like the grass of the field.e ¹⁷May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun shines. In him may all nations be blessed; may they call him blessed.f ¹⁸Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.g

¹⁹And blessed be His glorious name forever; may all the earth be filled with His glory. Amen and amen.h ²⁰Thus conclude the prayers of David son of Jesse.