Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son.
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
Give the King thy judgments, O God. Solomon received his throne by descent from David, but Israel was a theocracy, the real King sat in heaven, and the earthly king was only His viceroy. Our glorious King in Zion has all judgment committed to Him; He rules by divine right and divine wisdom both. He is the righteous King, our Lord our righteousness. Soon the Prince of Peace will displace the warrior king, and His reign shall manifest in all its glory.
AI summary
Give the King thy judgments, O God. By 'the King' is meant Christ, as the ancient Jews themselves understood. By 'judgments' we mean not the statutes He explains, nor merely the punishments He inflicts, but the totality of power in heaven and earth given Him by His Father at His ascension, the whole kingdom and greatness of it committed to His hands. This all-embracing authority centers chiefly in the government of His church.
AI summary