Psalms 72:7-9 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 72:7-9

“In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!”

Psalms 72:7-9 Meaning

These verses from Psalm 72 describe the hope and desire for a righteous and just ruler who brings prosperity, peace, and dominion over all nations. The psalmist longs for a leader who is respected and revered by all, even those who were once enemies. It speaks of a time when all opposition is subdued and the righteous flourish under the rule of this chosen king.

Psalms 72:7-9 Commentary and Explanation

Within the context of this psalm, it is believed to have been written by King Solomon and refers to his reign as the king of Israel. However, these verses go beyond just Solomon and point to a messianic figure, Jesus Christ. While Solomon’s reign had moments of prosperity and peace, it fell short of the grandeur described in these verses. Only Jesus, the ultimate righteous King, can fulfill the deeper meaning of this psalm.

The psalmist expresses the desire for the righteous to flourish under the reign of this righteous ruler. This flourishing encompasses not only material prosperity but also spiritual abundance. When a leader follows God’s ways and governs with justice and righteousness, the people are blessed in every aspect of their lives. As followers of Christ, we can find comfort in knowing that our ultimate King, Jesus, desires for us to thrive in every area of our lives.

The psalmist also mentions peace abounding “till the moon be no more!” This speaks of everlasting peace, a peace that surpasses any temporary tranquility experienced in this world. In Christ, we have access to this eternal peace that transcends our circumstances. It is the peace that can only be found in a relationship with our Savior. As we trust in Christ’s reign as our King, we can experience His peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of life’s challenges.

The psalmist further describes the dominion of this righteous ruler, extending “from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.” This signifies the vastness and universality of His reign. It is not limited to one nation or people but encompasses all of creation. Jesus, as the Messiah, has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and His dominion extends far beyond what we can comprehend.

The psalmist also envisions even the desert tribes bowing down before this righteous ruler, indicating the complete submission and surrender of those who once opposed him. This demonstrates the power and influence of God’s kingdom, transforming hearts and bringing unity among diverse people groups. As followers of Christ, we are called to submit ourselves wholly to Him, recognizing His authority and lordship over our lives.

Ultimately, Psalm 72:7-9 paints a vivid picture of the righteous reign of a king whose rule brings flourishing righteousness, lasting peace, global dominion, and ultimate submission of all nations. As believers, we look to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of this prophetic vision, the King of kings and Lord of lords, whose reign is characterized by righteousness and justice, offering the hope of eternal peace and the ultimate submission of every knee to His authority.

Context of Psalm 72:7-9

Psalm 72 is attributed to King Solomon and is traditionally believed to have been written as a prayer or blessing for his son and successor, King David. However, it is also seen as a prophetic representation of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ. The psalm focuses on the reign of a king who embodies righteousness, justice, and compassion

Lessons From Psalm 72:7-9

These verses remind us of the perfect rule of Christ, who is our ultimate righteous King. We learn that in His reign, the righteous flourish, peace abounds, and His dominion is all-encompassing.

As followers of Christ, we are called to submit ourselves fully to His rule, trusting that He will govern our lives in justice, righteousness, and mercy. We can find comfort and hope in knowing that Jesus has defeated every enemy, and even those who were once hostile to Him will bow down before Him.

Biblical Translations of Psalms 72:7-9

Psalm 72:7-9 King James Version (KJV)

“In his days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth. They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust.”

Psalm 72:7-9 New International Version (NIV)

“In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.”

Psalm 72:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)

“In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more! May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust!”

Psalm 72:7-9 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

“In his days may the righteous flourish, And abundance of peace till the moon is no more. May he also rule from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow down before him, And his enemies will lick the dust.”

Psalm 72:7-9 New King James Version (NKJV)

“In his days the righteous shall flourish, And abundance of peace, Until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, And from the River to the ends of the earth. Those who dwell in the wilderness will bow before Him, And His enemies will lick the dust.”

Psalm 72:7-9 The Message (MSG)

“In his day the righteous will flourish and peace will abound till the moon fades to nothing. He’ll rule from sea to sea, from the River to the Rim. People in the desert will fall on their knees before him, and his enemies will eat dirt.”

Psalm 72:7-9 New Living Translation (NLT)

“May all kings bow before him, and all nations serve him. He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them.”

Final Thoughts

Psalm 72:7-9 paints a picture of a righteous ruler whose reign brings flourishing, peace, and dominion that extends to the ends of the earth. While King Solomon’s reign fell short of this description, it points us to Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of this prophetic psalm. As we recognize Jesus as our King and surrender to His rule, we can experience the flourishing, peace, and all-encompassing dominion that these verses describe. Let us trust in His perfect reign and find solace in His everlasting peace.