Psalm 72 is a royal prayer, likely penned by David (v. 20) for his son Solomon (indicated in the superscription, “Of Solomon”). It is David’s final recorded psalm, in the moment where the baton passes from his personal reign to his successor. But this is not simply the sentimental blessing of an old king for the next generation.

This psalm passes the baton from David’s personal reign to something far greater: the enduring promise God made to him in 2 Samuel 7 that his throne would be established forever. David knew that no mere human king, not even Solomon, could fully deliver justice to all people, peace to all nations, and blessing to the ends of the earth. His prayer ultimately rests not on the strength of any man, but on the faithfulness of God to send His true, heavenly King.

The psalm unfolds like a staircase, each step lifting our eyes higher. It begins in verses 1 to 4 describing the prayer for a good earthly king who will rule with God’s righteousness, defending the poor, judging with justice, and bringing peace. This is the aspiration of what David hopes Solomon and every earthly ruler should become.

In verse 5 to 11, the vision climbs higher. The reign of this king extends to all generations and all nations. His dominion stretches “from sea to sea,” language far beyond the borders of ancient Israel, hinting at a reign that is universal rather than national.

We can see that progressively in verses 12 to 17, the description now takes on a perfection no human monarch could sustain: a ruler who delivers the needy every time, who redeems the oppressed without fail, whose blessings fill the whole earth and his name endures forever! These qualities belong fully and finally only to the Messiah.

Finally, in verses 18 to 19, the staircase reaches its summit. The psalm bursts into pure doxology where praise is lifted unto “the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.”

David understands that even at the height of his reign, all glory belong not to the earthly king, but God alone! That’s the psalm’s reminder, no matter how great the leader, it is the Lord who is the true source of blessing. The crown may rest on the king’s head, but the praise belongs to the King of heaven.

Therefore, even when David’s line later faltered and Israel’s throne sat empty (as we can see in Book III from psalms 73 to 89), this psalm kept alive the hope of the true King to come! Jesus Christ, the Son of David, whose reign will never end, whose justice will never fail, and whose blessing will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea!

Dear brothers and sisters, where do you place your ultimate hope? We thank God for leaders who serve faithfully, but even the best of them are still human: limited, temporary, and imperfect. They will one day step down, make mistakes, or simply not be able to meet every need.

As we enter a season of choosing leaders for the coming two years, it is right and wise to prayerfully consider their spiritual maturity, integrity, and abilities. But in doing so, we must not lose sight of who truly sits on the throne. It is easy to measure the health and future of the church by the strengths or weaknesses of its human leaders, yet Scripture reminds us that the church’s ultimate Head is not a man, but Christ Himself.

Psalm 72 pulls our gaze upward to this greater reality. Our true King is both righteous and eternal. He rules not only with unmatched power, but with tender compassion for the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten. His justice never fails, His reign never ends, and His blessings overflow to the ends of the earth.

This is the King we pray for, long for, and serve, until the day His reign is seen in full, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. From king to KING, our hope is not in the one who holds the office, but in the One who holds the universe.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us leaders to guide and serve, and thank You most of all for Your Son, our eternal King. Help us to place our ultimate hope in You, not in human strength or position. Teach us to trust Your wisdom, follow Your ways, and look to Christ as the true source of justice, peace, and blessing. May our lives reflect His compassion and righteousness, and may we live in joyful anticipation of the day when His reign is fully revealed. In Jesus’ name, Amen.