Psalm 72:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!

NIV: May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations.

NASB: May they fear You while the sun shines, And as long as the moon shines, throughout all generations.

CSB: May they fear you while the sun endures and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.

NLT: May they fear you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon remains in the sky. Yes, forever!

KJV: They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

NKJV: They shall fear You As long as the sun and moon endure, Throughout all generations.

Psalm 72:1–7 opens a prayer with multiple meanings. These may be words prayed by David, or by Solomon. What they ask is both a request for Solomon's rule and a prophetic view of the reign of the Messiah on earth. Righteousness is an especially clear theme. Other key ideas include justice, compassion, peace, and prosperity.

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 11:47:18 AM