Psalm 72:13 - Printer Friendly

ESV: He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy.

NIV: He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death.

NASB: He will have compassion on the poor and needy, And he will save the lives of the needy.

CSB: He will have pity on the poor and helpless and save the lives of the poor.

NLT: He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.

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

NKJV: He will spare the poor and needy, And will save the souls of the needy.

Psalm 72:12–14 begins to describe the rule of a great king. In the most immediate context, this is part of an open prayer for Solomon (Psalm 72:1). It also previews the nature of the Messiah who will one day rule on earth. In this case, emphasis is placed on the King's compassion and care for His people. This ruler will care for the weak and helpless.

The psalmist prays for a king to rule successfully, and that he would serve as the ideal leader of a successful, stable, prosperous nation. This appears to be a request made to God regarding the rule of Solomon. It also has prophetic meaning: the descriptions given here preview the rule of Messiah on earth. The final verses are a formal statement of praise which marks the end of "Book Two" of the psalms.

This is one of two psalms (Psalm 127:1) connected to Solomon. It might have been dedicated to him by his father, David (1 Kings 2:1–4). The final verse refers to David and a conclusion of his prayers. Yet, psalms are not numbered in chronological order, and the style of this psalm is much more like that of the book of Proverbs, most of which are attributed to Solomon. In either case, this psalm is both a prayer and a prophecy. It asks for God's blessings on a king's rule: praying he would be the ideal leader. This continues to depict a kingdom which blesses the entire world.

The book of Psalms is composed of individual songs, hymns, or poems, each of which is a ''Psalm'' in and of itself. These works contain a wide variety of themes. Some Psalms focus on praising and worshipping God. Others cry out in anguish over the pain of life. Still other Psalms look forward to the coming of the Messiah. While some Psalms are related, each has its own historical and biblical context.

Accessed 12/22/2024 2:20:09 AM