Messiah’s Kingdom

Psalm 72:1-20

A Psalm for Solomon.

God had told David that the Messiah, Jesus Christ would be one of his descendants.  While tradition considers this a Psalm for Solomon, David’s son, the prophecies it contains seem more applicable to Christ than to Solomon. 

“Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.  He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.  The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.  He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.  They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.  He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth.” (Psalm 72:1-6)

Messiah will rule with a rod of iron so that injustice will be eliminated, and every decision will be based totally on truth rather than man’s opinion.  All oppression will be eliminated and the laws will apply equally to all, whether rich or poor, famous or unknown.   As a result people will turn to God throughout eternity, and his presence will be like a gentle rain, nourishing everyone and everything. 

“In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth.  He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.  They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.” (Psalm 72:7-9)

Under his administration, those who do what is right will prosper abundantly with no corrupt political or economic system taking their profits or limiting their success as long as his the earth and moon remain.  Because his kingdom will encompass the entire earth, there will be no other powers to threaten their success.  Even those who hate him will be forced to leave his people alone. 

“The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.  Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him.  For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.” (Psalm 72:10-12)

At one time Tarshish, or present day Spain ruled much of western Europe, including France, and the British Isles.  The Isles refer to the entire Mediterranean area , and Sheba and Seba refer to groups in  Africa and Asia.    All the kings of the world will come to him in worship and submit to him, because the people know they will be heard when their own governments ignore their problems.  The governments will either comply or be removed. 

  

“He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.  He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight.  And 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.” (Psalm 72:13-15)

He will protect and care for those who are unable to help themselves and save the souls of those who turn to him for help.  He will protect them from scams and physical attacks, punishing those who kill or injure them severely.   People will pray to him and praise him every day for what he has done.

“There 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.  His 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.” (Psalm 72:16-17)

Even a handful of seed in a less than ideal climate will produce enough for a whole nation, with the result that there will be no shortages in the cities.  Christ’s kingdom will continue until the end of the earth, as long as the sun shines, and all the people of the earth will be blessed in him as God promised Abraham. 

“Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.  And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” (Psalm 72:18-20)

It is only God who could make such promises and fulfill them.  David praises his name for his promises and asks that the wol earth be aware of his wonderful power and goodness.