King James Version

What Does Psalms 72:1 Mean?

Psalms 72:1 in the King James Version says “A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. for: or, of” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 72 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. for: or, of”

Psalms 72:1 · KJV

Context

1

A Psalm for Solomon. Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. for: or, of

2

He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

3

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. This royal psalm, traditionally ascribed to Solomon, opens with prayer for the king to receive divine wisdom and justice. "Thy judgments" (מִשְׁפָּטֶיךָ/mishpatekha) refers to God's righteous decisions, legal verdicts, and governing principles. The king needs not his own wisdom but God's revealed justice to rule rightly. "Thy righteousness" (צִדְקָתְךָ/tzidqatekha) is God's own righteous character and covenantal faithfulness that should characterize royal governance.

"The king" and "the king's son" use Hebrew synonymous parallelism—both refer to the same person (likely Solomon, David's son and heir). The designation "king's son" emphasizes dynastic succession and the Davidic covenant's perpetuation. God promised David an eternal dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16), and each king's rule tested and displayed that covenant faithfulness.

This prayer establishes that righteous rule derives from divine wisdom, not human cleverness or power. Kings govern as God's vice-regents, implementing His justice on earth. This anticipates Christ, David's ultimate Son, who perfectly embodies divine justice and righteousness (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-5). Jesus is the King who needs no prayer for God's judgments because He IS God's judgment incarnate (John 5:22-27).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Psalm 72's superscription attributes it to Solomon, though Hebrew allows "for Solomon" or "about Solomon" as well as "by Solomon." Ancient Near Eastern royal ideology emphasized kings as channels of divine justice. Egyptian pharaohs and Mesopotamian rulers claimed divine authority for their governance. Israel's king, however, ruled under divine law—subject to Torah and accountable to prophets who spoke God's word to them.

Solomon famously prayed for wisdom at Gibeon: "Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad" (1 Kings 3:9). God granted this request, and Solomon's wisdom became legendary (1 Kings 3:16-28, 4:29-34, 10:1-13). Yet Solomon's later compromise—multiplying wives, accumulating wealth, turning to idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-13)—demonstrated that even the wisest king failed to maintain perfect justice and righteousness.

This failure pointed forward to David's greater Son. Prophets foretold a coming King who would rule with perfect justice (Isaiah 9:6-7, 11:1-5, 16:5, Jeremiah 23:5-6, 33:15-16). Jesus fulfilled these prophecies, inaugurating the kingdom of God with perfect wisdom and righteousness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse establish that righteous governance flows from divine wisdom rather than human cleverness?
  2. What does it mean for earthly rulers to govern as God's vice-regents implementing His justice?
  3. How did Solomon's wisdom and eventual failure point forward to the need for David's greater Son?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
אֱֽלֹהִ֗ים1 of 7

“O God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

מִ֭שְׁפָּטֶיךָ2 of 7

“thy judgments”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מֶֽלֶךְ׃3 of 7

“the king”

H4428

a king

תֵּ֑ן4 of 7

“Give”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

וְצִדְקָתְךָ֥5 of 7

“and thy righteousness”

H6666

rightness (abstractly), subjectively (rectitude), objectively (justice), morally (virtue) or figuratively (prosperity)

לְבֶן6 of 7

“son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

מֶֽלֶךְ׃7 of 7

“the king”

H4428

a king

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 72:1 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 72:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 23:5-61 Chronicles 22:12-13Isaiah 11:21 Kings 1:39-2:42 Chronicles 1:101 Chronicles 29:19

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