The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer 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
Trade and commerce shall bow to Christ's rule; merchant princes far and near will joyfully pour their wealth to His throne. From Britain's white cliffs to Madagascar's shores, from Iceland to the equatorial seas, His sceptre stretches across the blue waters, and kings shall bring Him their freewill offerings. True religion leads to generous giving, not taxation but delight; it is time the kings followed where the poor widow long ago led.
AI summary
Whether Tarshish means the sea itself or a distant continent, the point is the same: kings of both mainland and islands shall do homage to the Messiah and bring Him presents. Sheba and Seba, the Arabians and Sabeans, are merely instances of this universal subjection. The ancient Jews themselves taught that all the gifts Jacob gave to Esau shall be returned to the King Messiah in that day.
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