Psalm 72:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.

NIV: Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.

NASB: Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who alone works wonders.

CSB: Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does wonders.

NLT: Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things.

KJV: Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.

NKJV: Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things!

Psalm 72:18–20 is not as much a conclusion to psalm 72 as a marker indicating the end of "Book Two" of the psalms (Psalm 42—72). This doxology—a structured praise to God—resembles other markers between books (Psalm 41:13; 89:52; 106:48; 150). The remark about David may mean this was the final Davidic psalm, or that this was once the end of an independent collection of psalms.

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 11/21/2024 10:38:06 AM