May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts!
The inscription leaves us uncertain who composed this psalm, though it closes David's prayers and bears his mark more than Solomon's. Solomon could scarcely have prophesied his own reign without vanity; but David, foreseeing the prosperity promised his house, lifted his eyes to that greatest King yet to come, the Messiah, whose reign this description truly fits.
AI summary
Commenting on Psalm 72:1-20
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents. Trade shall be made subservient to the purposes of mediatorial rule; merchant princes, both far and near, shall joyfully contribute of their wealth to his throne. Seafaring places are good centres from which to spread the gospel; and seafaring men often make earnest heralds of the cross.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents,.... Tarshish either signifies the sea, as it is sometimes rendered in the Targum; and then the sense is, the kings of the sea, that is, of the islands of the sea, as it follows, shall be subject to the kingdom of Christ; and, as a token of it, bring presents to him, as the...