Psalm 72

A Prayer for the King

Solomonic. q

1 God, give Your justice to the king

and Your righteousness to the king’s son. r

2 He will judge Your people with righteousness

and Your afflicted ones with justice. s

3 May the mountains bring prosperity t to the people

and the hills, righteousness. u

4 May he vindicate the afflicted among the people,

help the poor,

and crush the oppressor. v

5 May he continue w while the sun endures

and as long as the moon, throughout all generations. x

6 May he be like rain that falls on the cut grass,

like spring showers that water the earth. y

7 May the righteous z flourish in his days

and prosperity a abound

until the moon is no more. b

8 May he rule from sea to sea

and from the Euphrates

to the ends of the earth. c

9 May desert tribes kneel before him

and his enemies lick the dust. d

10 May the kings of Tarshish

and the coasts and islands bring tribute,

the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts. e

11 Let all kings bow down to him,

all nations serve him. f

12 For he will rescue the poor who cry out

and the afflicted who have no helper. g

13 He will have pity on the poor and helpless

and save the lives of the poor. h

14 He will redeem them from oppression and violence,

for their lives are i precious j in his sight. k

15 May he live long!

May gold from Sheba be given to him.

May prayer be offered for him continually,

and may he be blessed all day long. l

16 May there be plenty of grain in the land;

may it wave on the tops of the mountains.

May its crops be like Lebanon.

May people flourish in the cities

like the grass of the field. m

17 May his name endure forever;

as long as the sun shines,

may his fame increase.

May all nations be blessed by him

and call him blessed. n

18 May the Lord God, the God of Israel,

who alone does wonders, be praised. o

19 May His glorious name be praised forever;

the whole earth is filled with His glory. p

* Amen and amen.

20 The prayers of David son of Jesse are concluded. q