What does Psalm 72:9 mean?
ESV: May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!
NIV: May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
NASB: May the nomads of the desert bow before him, And his enemies lick the dust.
CSB: May desert tribes kneel before him and his enemies lick the dust.
NLT: Desert nomads will bow before him; his enemies will fall before him in the dust.
KJV: They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him; and his enemies shall lick the dust.
NKJV: Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.
Verse Commentary:
Verse Context:
Psalm 72:8–11 concludes a prayer for Solomon and his kingship. This prayer is both a request and a prophecy. These words are also seen as a prediction about the earthly reign of the Messiah. The psalmist describes the entire world bowing in submission. The ruling king is depicted receiving homage from faraway lands while enemies grovel in the dirt.
Chapter Summary:
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.
Chapter Context:
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.
Book Summary:
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.
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