Jesus, the Perfect King
Psalm 72 is historically considered one of ten “royal psalms,” a prayerful hymn that addresses King David or one of his sons. Many translations of Scripture will provide the subheading “Of Solomon” or “Solomon’s Psalm,” suggesting that King Solomon actually penned this beauty, but modern scholars dispute this. The Septuagint, the earliest Greek translation of the Old Testament from the original Hebrew, indicates that King David wrote this psalm for his son Solomon. Regardless of authorship, this treasured song can be applied and prophetically refers to King Jesus, as we know that Jesus is woven throughout the entirety of Scripture and is the lens through which we study the Bible. After all, Jesus is the Son of David and legitimate heir to the throne (Matthew 1:1), and is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).
Anyway, all history lessons aside, let’s look at how this psalm prophetically describes our magnificent Jesus—and I invite you to prayerfully open your heart and receive these truths.
1. King Jesus is just.
“O God, make the king a godly judge like you and give the king’s son the gift of justice, too. Help him to give true justice to your people, honorably and equally to all” (72:1-2).
Jesus rules from His throne in perfect justice! He always does what is right and best, and He never winks at sin. While I believe that God’s utter and extravagant goodness is being realized even more deeply in this age, I also admit that the day is increasingly evil—but be certain of this: the King has the final say, and He will punish the wicked and reward the righteous.
2. King Jesus advocates for the needy.
“May the poor and humble have an advocate with the king. May he consider the children of the poor and crush the cruel oppressor. … He will care for the needy and neglected when they cry to him for help. The humble and helpless will know his kindness, for with a father’s compassion he will save their souls. They will be rescued from tyranny and torture, for their lifeblood is precious is his eyes” (72:4, 12-14).
I am convinced that our faithful Friend Jesus is still close to the brokenhearted and washes the feet of the overlooked. We live in a world inundated with major social issues, tension between men and women, divisive politics, and racial conflict, but when you strip it all back, there is Jesus… stooping low to gently restore the one who has fallen down. Oh, yes, our kind Jesus has immense—immense—compassion for you, dear friend. Truly, the helpless will know His kindness.
3. King Jesus enjoys a prosperous, undefeated reign.
“In the days of his reign the righteous will spring forth with the abundance of peace and prosperity forevermore. May he subdue and take dominion from sea to sea; may he rule from the river to the rim… every enemy falling face down, biting the dust! Distant kings will surrender and come with their gifts from every continent and coastland; they will offer their tribute to you. O King of kings, they will all bow before you. O King of kings, every nation will one day serve you” (72:7-11).
Everywhere that Jesus places His feet, there is freedom, prosperity, and abundance! Yes, His enemies are scattered: cancer, deafness, depression, night terrors, anxiety, blindness, fear, and divorce all become things of the past wherever the King’s domain stretches!
4. King Jesus deserves our praise.
“The sun and moon will stop shining before your lovers will stop worshiping; for ages upon ages the people will love and adore you! … Long live this King! May the wealth of the world be laid before him. May there be ceaseless praise and prayer brought to him. May all the blessing be brought to him” (72:5, 15).
Isn’t that just something else? “The sun will stop shining before your lovers will stop worshiping.” Oh, may I be counted in that company of devotees who love and adore the King. To praise God is, at its simplest, to offer Him a genuine compliment. Tell Him how patient He’s been with you! Tell Him how wise He is! Thank Him for His endless loyalty! What a matchless King we worship!
Do yourself a favor and slowly read through this treasure of a song, and apply its words to the ultimate King, Jesus. Let it marinate in your spirit. Knowing who Jesus is will change your life! And let me leave you with this resounding declaration from the ending:
“Praise forever Jehovah-God, the God of Israel! He is the one and only God of wonders, surpassing every expectation. The blazing glory of his name will be praised forever! May all the earth overflow with his glory! Faithful is our King! Amen” (72:18-19)!
Josh