Psalms 72–20
Psalm 72:1-20
Psa.72.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לשלמה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- א: PRT
- להים: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- משפטיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2ms
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תן: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- וצדקתך: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- לבן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
Parallels
- 1 Kings 3:9 (thematic): Solomon’s plea for an understanding mind to govern and judge the people parallels Psalm 72:1’s request that God give the king judgment—both focus on divine bestowal of wisdom/justice for righteous rule.
- Psalm 89:14 (verbal): Uses the paired terms 'righteousness and justice' in the context of kingship, echoing Psalm 72:1’s petition that the king receive God's judgments and righteousness.
- Isaiah 11:4–5 (allusion): Messianic depiction of a ruler who 'judges the poor with righteousness' and whose 'word is with fairness' parallels the psalm’s theme of God-given justice and righteousness for the king/king’s son.
- Proverbs 20:28 (thematic): Speaks of steadfast love/faithfulness preserving the king and upholding his throne—related to Psalm 72’s concern that divine justice and righteousness sustain and legitimize royal rule.
- Proverbs 16:12 (verbal): States that a throne is established by righteousness and condemns royal wickedness; closely parallels Psalm 72:1’s emphasis on giving the king justice/righteousness as the basis for proper rule.
Alternative generated candidates
- For Solomon. O God, give the king your judgments; and your righteousness to the king's son.
- For Solomon. O God, give the king your judgments; to the king's son give your righteousness.
Psa.72.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ידין: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- בצדק: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וענייך: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- במשפט: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 11:3-4 (verbal): Close verbal parallel: the coming ruler 'shall judge the poor with righteousness' (Hebrew/Greek parallels the Psalm's language about judging the people/poor in righteousness).
- Psalm 9:8 (verbal): Speaks of God judging the world 'with righteousness' and administering judgment with equity—parallel theme of divine righteous judgment over the peoples.
- Proverbs 31:9 (verbal): An imperative to 'open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy,' reflecting the same concern for just judgment on behalf of the poor.
- Micah 6:8 (thematic): Summarizes what God requires—'to act justly...and walk humbly'—the ethical demand for justice and defense of the oppressed that underlies the Psalm's call to righteous judgment for the poor.
Alternative generated candidates
- May he judge your people with righteousness, and your afflicted with justice.
- May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.
Psa.72.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- הרים: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעם: PREP
- וגבעות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- בצדקה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 32:17-18 (verbal): Explicitly links righteousness with peace and secure habitation—'the effect of righteousness will be peace' echoes 'hills in righteousness' and mountains bringing peace.
- Isaiah 52:7 (thematic): Mountains are the site of the proclamation of good news and peace—'how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news' parallels the image of mountains bearing peace to the people.
- Isaiah 11:6-9 (thematic): The peaceable-kingdom vision where natural elements are at peace under righteous rule parallels the Psalm's portrayal of the landscape (mountains and hills) participating in peace under the king's justice.
- Zechariah 9:10 (thematic): The coming ruler 'will speak peace to the nations' and govern in righteousness—connects the themes of peace and righteous rule present in Psalm 72:3.
- Psalm 46:9 (thematic): God puts an end to warfare and establishes universal peace—this divine establishment of peace across the land resonates with the Psalm 72 image of mountains bringing peace to the people.
Alternative generated candidates
- May the mountains yield peace for the people, and the hills righteousness.
- May the mountains yield peace for the people, and the hills bring righteousness.
Psa.72.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ישפט: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ע: ADJ,m,pl,cons
- ניי: ADJ,m,pl,cons
- עם: PREP
- יושיע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לבני: PREP
- אביון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידכא: CONJ+VERB,qal,imf,3,m,sg
- עושק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 11:4 (verbal): Speaks of the coming ruler judging the poor with righteousness and striking down the wicked — language and theme closely parallel to judging/saving the needy and crushing the oppressor.
- Psalm 82:3-4 (thematic): Calls for giving justice to the weak and rescuing the needy from the wicked, echoing the king's role as defender of the poor in Psalm 72:4.
- Proverbs 31:8-9 (thematic): Commands speaking up for those who cannot speak and defending the rights of the poor and needy — similar ethical imperative to protect the afflicted found in Psalm 72:4.
- Isaiah 1:17 (thematic): Urges seeking justice, correcting oppression and defending the fatherless and widow, reflecting the social-justice concern expressed in Psalm 72:4.
- Jeremiah 22:16 (allusion): Describes a king who 'defended the cause of the poor and needy,' a portrait that echoes the ideal royal justice celebrated in Psalm 72:4.
Alternative generated candidates
- May he judge the needy of the people; may he save the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.
- May he defend the afflicted among the people; may he deliver the children of the poor and crush the oppressor.
Psa.72.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ייראוך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עם: PREP
- שמש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- ירח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דורים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Psalm 89:36-37 (verbal): Uses almost identical cosmic imagery — 'as long as the sun...like the moon' — to describe the enduring nature of a king's house/kingdom.
- Psalm 72:17 (verbal): Later verse in the same psalm repeats the wish that the king's name and reign endure 'as long as the sun,' reinforcing the same eternalizing motif.
- 2 Samuel 7:16 (thematic): God's covenant promise to David that his house and throne will be established forever parallels the psalm's prayer for an everlasting reign expressed by cosmic longevity.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (thematic): Messianic oracle promising an eternal government 'from this time forth and forever' echoes the psalm's theme of perpetual rule expressed with solar-lunar imagery.
Alternative generated candidates
- May his people fear him while the sun endures, and while the moon—for generations and generations.
- May he endure as long as the sun, and as long as the moon—throughout all generations.
Psa.72.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ירד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כמטר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- גז: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- כרביבים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- זרזיף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 32:2 (verbal): Uses the image of teaching/word ‘dropping’ like rain and dew—verbal parallel of divine blessing/instruction descending as moisture.
- Hosea 6:3 (verbal): Speaks of God (or his coming) ‘as the rain,’ including the late and early rains—closely parallels the simile of God’s gracious downpour on the earth.
- Isaiah 55:10 (thematic): Compares rain from heaven to the fruitfulness it produces on the earth—thematic parallel emphasizing rain as a metaphor for life-giving, fruitful divine action.
- Ezekiel 34:26 (thematic): Promises showers of blessing in their season—thematic parallel linking divine provision and blessing to the image of seasonal rains.
Alternative generated candidates
- May he descend like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
- May he descend like rain upon mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
Psa.72.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יפרח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בימיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- צדיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ורב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- שלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- בלי: PREP
- ירח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (thematic): Messianic promise of an increase of government and an endless reign of peace—parallels Psalm 72:7’s hope that the righteous will flourish and peace will endure.
- Psalm 89:37 (verbal): Both verses use lunar imagery to express permanence of a reign or blessing—Psalm 72:7’s “till the moon be no more” echoes Psalm 89:37’s comparison of a throne established like the moon forever.
- Isaiah 11:6-9 (thematic): Vision of universal peace and flourishing under the righteous ruler (creation at peace, no harm) aligns with Psalm 72:7’s theme of righteous flourishing and abundant peace.
- Jeremiah 23:5-6 (thematic): Prophecy of a righteous Branch who will reign wisely, execute justice and bring security—echoes the psalm’s prayer for righteousness to prosper and for lasting peace under the king.
Alternative generated candidates
- In his days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace until the moon is no more.
- In his days the righteous shall flourish, and great peace until the moon is no more.
Psa.72.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- מים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עד: PREP
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ומנהר: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- אפסי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Zechariah 9:10 (verbal): Almost identical wording describing the messianic ruler's dominion 'from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth'—a direct verbal echo of universal rule.
- Psalm 89:25 (verbal): Uses sea/river imagery—'I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers'—conveying sovereign rule over waters similar to Ps 72:8's geographic sweep.
- Psalm 2:8 (thematic): Promises the nations and 'the ends of the earth' as the king's possession—shares the theme of universal kingship and dominion in Ps 72:8.
- Isaiah 49:6 (thematic): Speaks of bringing light/salvation to 'the ends of the earth,' reflecting the same universal scope for the king's mission or rule expressed in Ps 72:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- May his rule extend from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
- May his dominion be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Psa.72.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- יכרעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ציים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ואיביו: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- עפר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ילחכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,pl
Parallels
- Ps.72:11 (verbal): Closely parallel imagery of universal submission—there all kings bow to him; here the islands bow before him, both expressing rulers/nations submitting to the king.
- Isa.45:23 (thematic): Proclaims universal homage ('to me every knee shall bow'), echoing the theme of all peoples bowing before the sovereign found in Ps 72:9.
- Phil.2:10-11 (quotation): New Testament citation of the universal bowing motif (quoting/echoing Isaiah) — ‘every knee should bow’ parallels the psalm’s image of islands and nations bowing before the ruler.
- Ps.110:1 (thematic): Describes the king’s victory and his enemies placed under him (seat at God’s right hand until enemies are made a footstool), related to Ps 72:9’s image of defeated foes licking the dust.
Alternative generated candidates
- Before him the coastlands shall bow; his enemies shall lick the dust.
- Coastlands will bow down before him, and his enemies will lick the dust.
Psa.72.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- תרשיש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואיים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מנחה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ישיבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מלכי: NOUN,pl,m,cons
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וסבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יקריבו: VERB,hiph,impf,3,pl
Parallels
- Ps.72:11 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same psalm: declares that all kings will bow and all nations will serve him, closely linked to kings bringing tribute in v.10.
- Ps.72:17 (thematic): Later verse in the psalm that echoes the motif—'may all nations call him blessed'—reinforcing the theme of foreign nations honoring and blessing the king.
- Isaiah 60:6 (verbal): Speaks of camels and caravans from Sheba bringing gold and frankincense to Zion; verbal and thematic overlap with Sheba bringing gifts to a king.
- Matt.2:1-11 (allusion): The Magi (kings/wise men) from the east bring gifts to the newborn king Jesus; a New Testament typological parallel to foreign rulers bringing homage and tribute.
- Rev.21:24 (thematic): Eschatological image of the kings of the earth bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem—parallels the prophetic theme of nations and kings rendering tribute and honor.
Alternative generated candidates
- The kings of Tarshish and the coastlands shall bring tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall present gifts.
- The kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands will bring tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba will offer gifts.
Psa.72.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישתחוו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- מלכים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כל: DET
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יעבדוהו: VERB,qal,imperf,3,m,pl+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Ps.22:27 (thematic): Declares that all the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD and worship before him, paralleling the psalm’s vision of all nations bowing and serving the king.
- Ps.86:9 (thematic): “All nations whom you have made shall come and worship before you” — a closely parallel statement of universal worship and service by the nations.
- Isa.49:7 (verbal): Speaks of kings and princes bowing and prostrating themselves (“kings shall see and arise; princes shall prostrate themselves”), echoing the image of kings bowing before the servant/king.
- Phil.2:10-11 (quotation): “That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow... and every tongue confess” — New Testament appropriation of the psalmic theme of universal homage, applied to Christ.
- Rev.5:13 (thematic): All creation gives praise to the One on the throne and the Lamb, reflecting the cosmic scope of worship and submission envisioned in Ps 72:11.
Alternative generated candidates
- All kings shall bow down to him; all nations shall serve him.
- All kings shall bow down to him; all nations shall serve him.
Psa.72.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יציל: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- אביון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- משוע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ועני: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עזר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 146:7 (thematic): Speaks of God executing justice for the oppressed and providing for the hungry—parallel concern for rescuing the needy and afflicted.
- Psalm 82:3 (verbal): Commands giving justice to the weak and maintaining the rights of the poor and needy; closely echoes the social-justice emphasis of Ps 72:12.
- Proverbs 31:8-9 (thematic): Urges speaking up for those who cannot speak and defending the rights of the poor and needy—similar ethical duty to aid the helpless.
- Isaiah 11:4 (thematic): Describes the coming ruler judging the poor with righteousness and rescuing the afflicted—messianic parallel to the king who delivers the needy in Ps 72.
- Luke 4:18 (allusion): Jesus’ proclamation of good news to the poor and release for the oppressed echoes the biblical motif (including Ps 72) of the king’s mission to rescue the helpless.
Alternative generated candidates
- For he will deliver the needy who cry out, and the poor who have no helper.
- For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the poor who have no helper.
Psa.72.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יחס: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- דל: ADJ,m,sg
- ואביון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונפשות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אביונים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יושיע: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 82:3 (verbal): Directly echoes the royal/judicial charge to ‘give justice to the weak and the poor’—same concern for defending needy/vulnerable.
- Psalm 146:7 (thematic): Both portray God (or the righteous ruler acting with God’s justice) as deliverer and provider who rescues the oppressed and gives food to the hungry.
- Isaiah 11:4 (thematic): The messianic king ‘will judge the poor with righteousness’—a prophetic statement of the same royal duty to save and vindicate the needy.
- Jeremiah 22:16 (allusion): Speaks of a king who ‘judged the cause of the poor and needy,’ linking the king’s justice for the poor with divine approval and blessing, echoing Psalm 72’s ideal.
- Proverbs 31:8–9 (thematic): Commands to ‘speak up for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all who are destitute’ reflect the same ethical imperative to defend and rescue the poor.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will have compassion on the poor and needy; he will save the lives of the needy.
- He will have compassion on the weak and the needy, and will save the lives of the poor.
Psa.72.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- מתוך: PREP
- ומחמס: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יגאל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נפשם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+3,m,pl
- וייקר: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- דמם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעיניו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
Parallels
- Psalm 72:12-13 (structural): Immediate context: the same section emphasizes the king/God delivering the needy and saving the poor, leading into v.14's statement about redeeming from violence and valuing their blood.
- Psalm 9:12 (verbal): Speaks of God avenging blood and not forgetting the cry of the afflicted—a verbal and thematic echo of concern for victims and the preciousness of their blood.
- Proverbs 24:11-12 (thematic): Calls rescuing those being led to death and not ignoring impending bloodshed; parallels the imperative to redeem lives from violence.
- Jeremiah 22:3 (thematic): God's charge to execute justice, deliver the robbed and the oppressed, and refrain from shedding innocent blood—reflects the same concern for protecting life from violence.
- Zechariah 7:9-10 (thematic): Urges practicing true justice, mercy, and compassion and forbids oppression—resonates with the psalm's depiction of rescuing the vulnerable from violence.
Alternative generated candidates
- He will redeem their life from oppression and violence; their blood will be precious in his sight.
- From oppression and violence he will redeem their life; their blood will be precious in his sight.
Psa.72.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויחי: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מזהב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתפלל: VERB,hitpael,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בעדו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- תמיד: ADV
- כל: DET
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- יברכנהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 21:4 (verbal): Both speak of the king being granted life/long life by God—‘He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it’ parallels ‘and he shall live’. The language of divine granting of life is parallel.
- 1 Kings 10:1–10 (thematic): The Queen of Sheba brings gold and lavish gifts to Solomon; parallels Ps 72:15’s image of gold from Sheba given to the king.
- Isaiah 60:6 (verbal): Isaiah depicts nations bringing gold, frankincense and proclaiming praise—‘they shall bring gold and incense’—echoing the motif of foreign tribute (gold of Sheba) and continual blessing.
- 1 Timothy 2:1–2 (thematic): Paul’s exhortation that prayers and intercessions be made for ‘kings and all who are in high positions’ parallels Ps 72:15’s call that people pray for and continually bless the ruler.
Alternative generated candidates
- May he live—may the gold of Sheba be given to him; may prayer be made for him continually; all day long may people bless him.
- May he live—may the gold of Sheba be given to him; may prayer be made for him continually; may they bless him all day long.
Psa.72.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- פסת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בר: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- בראש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- הרים: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- ירעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- כלבנון: PREP+PROPN,m,sg
- פריו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויציצו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מעיר: PREP
- כעשב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Isaiah 27:6 (thematic): National flourishing and fruitfulness—‘Israel shall blossom and bud, and fill the face of the world with fruit’ echoes Psalm 72’s image of abundant produce and prosperity.
- Joel 2:23-24 (verbal): Agricultural abundance language—‘the floors shall be full of wheat… the vats shall overflow’ parallels the Psalm’s promise of grain and bountiful fruit.
- Ezekiel 34:26-27 (allusion): Divine blessing producing fertility—God sending showers and making the land yield fruit resonates with the Psalm’s blessing of produce on the mountains and flourishing cities.
- Zechariah 8:12 (verbal): Prosperity of seed and vine—‘seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give her fruit’ closely parallels the Psalm’s motifs of productive fields and flourishing inhabitants.
- Deuteronomy 28:8-12 (thematic): Covenantal blessing on the land—promises that the LORD will bless all produce and grant abundance in town and country mirror the Psalm’s hope for widespread fertility and prosperity.
Alternative generated candidates
- May there be an abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave. May its fruit be like Lebanon, and its foliage flourish like the grass of the field.
- May grain abound in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it flourish. May its fruit be like Lebanon; may it bud forth from the city like the grass of the field.
Psa.72.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- יהי: VERB,qal,juss,3,m,sg
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפני: PREP
- שמש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ינון: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויתברכו: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,pl
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- כל: DET
- גוים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- יאשרוהו: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,pl,obj-3,m
Parallels
- Malachi 1:11 (verbal): Uses near-verbal language — 'from the rising of the sun to its setting' and the greatness of God's name among the nations — paralleling the psalm's hope that his name endure as long as the sun and that all nations bless him.
- Isaiah 9:6-7 (thematic): Foretells an eternal Davidic rule ('of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end'), echoing the psalm's emphasis on the king's enduring name and lasting reign and blessing for the nations.
- Zechariah 14:9 (thematic): Proclaims the LORD as king over all the earth and the unity of his name, reflecting the psalm's vision of universal recognition and blessing of the sovereign's name.
- Romans 15:11 (quotation): Paul cites the OT hope that 'all the nations' will praise the Lord, applying the ancient expectation of Gentile blessing/praise that Psalm 72 expresses for the king's name.
- Philippians 2:9-11 (allusion): Speaks of God exalting the name of Jesus so that 'every knee should bow...every tongue confess', echoing Psalm 72's expectation of universal homage and blessing directed toward the king's name.
Alternative generated candidates
- May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun. May men be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed.
- May his name endure forever; may his name continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed in him; may they bless themselves by him.
Psa.72.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ברוך: ADJ,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נפלאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- לבדו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Psalm 86:10 (verbal): Explicitly states God alone does wondrous things—’For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God’—close verbal and theological parallel to Ps 72:18.
- Psalm 136:4 (verbal): Uses the phrase ‘to him who alone does great wonders,’ echoing Ps 72:18’s assertion that Yahweh alone performs wonders and so is to be blessed.
- Exodus 15:11 (thematic): The Song of Moses praises Yahweh’s uniqueness and wondrous deeds (‘Who is like you… doing wonders?’), paralleling Ps 72:18’s theme of God as Israel’s wondrous, unrivaled God.
- Psalm 77:14 (thematic): Declares ‘You are the God who works wonders,’ linking the motif of God’s wonder-working on Israel’s behalf found in Ps 72:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders.
- Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds.
Psa.72.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וברוך: CONJ+ADJ,ptc,pass,NA,m,sg,abs
- שם: ADV
- כבודו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- לעולם: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימלא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כבודו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אמן: INTJ
- ואמן: CONJ+INTJ
Parallels
- Isaiah 6:3 (verbal): Shares near-identical language and idea: “the whole earth is full of his glory” (כִּי מָלְאָה כָל־הָאָרֶץ כְּבוֹדוֹ), echoing Ps 72:19’s ‘may his glory fill the whole earth.’
- Habakkuk 2:14 (verbal): Very similar theme and wording: ‘the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD,’ paralleling Ps 72:19’s petition that God’s glory fill the earth.
- Psalm 113:2 (verbal): Resonant liturgical blessing: ‘Blessed be the name of the LORD from this time forth and for evermore,’ echoing Ps 72:19’s ‘Blessed be the glorious name forever.’
- Philippians 2:10-11 (thematic): New Testament fulfillment/theme of universal acknowledgment: every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, paralleling Ps 72:19’s universal filling of the earth with God’s glory and the acclamation ‘Amen.’
Alternative generated candidates
- And blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and Amen.
- And blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill all the earth. Amen and Amen.
Psa.72.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- תפלות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ישי: NOUN,prop,sg,m
Parallels
- 2 Samuel 23:1 (structural): A closing statement about David's final words—parallels Psalm 72:20's function as a Davidic colophon marking an end or conclusion to the material attributed to David.
- 1 Chronicles 29:29 (allusion): Catalogues the acts and songs of David—parallels the Psalm's colophon which identifies the preceding prayers as those of David son of Jesse and connects to the broader tradition of recording Davidic compositions.
- Psalm 41:13 (structural): Final verse of Book I of the Psalter; like Psalm 72:20 it functions as a book/unit ending (a closing doxology/colophon) that marks the end of a section of Davidic material.
- Psalm 89:52 (structural): Final verse of Book III of the Psalter; another example of a concise concluding verse that closes a major Psalter section, paralleling Psalm 72:20's role at the end of Book II.
- Psalm 150:6 (structural): The final verse of the entire Psalter—serves the same literary role as Psalm 72:20 on a larger scale (a terminal benediction/closure), illustrating the practice of short concluding formulas in the Psalter's structure.
Alternative generated candidates
- The prayers of David, the son of Jesse—are ended.
- All the prayers of David, son of Jesse.
For Solomon. O God, give your judgments to the king; your righteousness to the king's son.
May he judge your people with righteousness and your afflicted with justice.
May the mountains yield peace for the people, and the hills righteousness.
May he defend the poor among the people, save the children of the needy, and break the oppressor.
May people fear him while the sun endures; before the moon, from generation to generation.
May he come down like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish, and abundant peace abound until the moon fails.
May his rule extend from sea to sea, and from the river to the ends of the earth.
Before him the coastlands shall bow down, and his enemies shall lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and the islands bring tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts.
All kings shall bow down before him; all nations shall serve him.
For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the poor who have no helper.
He will have pity on the weak and the needy; he will save the lives of the needy.
From oppression and violence he will redeem their life, and their blood will be precious in his sight.
May he live—and may gold of Sheba be given to him; may prayers be made for him continually, and may they bless him all day long.
May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; may its shoots spring up like the grass of the field.
May his name endure for ever; may his name continue as long as the sun. May men be blessed in him; all nations shall call him blessed.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.
Blessed be his glorious name forever; may his glory fill the whole earth. Amen and amen.
The prayers of David, son of Jesse—end.