Summary
We come once again to the Christmas season, when presents are swapped, barbecues and ovens fired up, and sunscreen liberally applied. Christmas is also the time of the year we rejoice at the birth of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Anointed One (Messiah) of God. We often turn to the opening pages of the Gospels to read the familiar Nativity stories, but Psalm 72 also speaks with wonder of the coming of Jesus, God’s Anointed King.
Our passage explained
v1-4
Psalm 72 begins in verses 1 to 4 asking God to grant righteousness and justice to his king. This is so he may “judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice!” (v.2) and reflect God’s character to the world around. The blessing of this righteous reign is such that (poetically) even the normally barren mountains and hills will bear a great harvest (v.3). The righteous king will help the poor and oppressed, and bring judgment on their oppressors (v.4).
v5-7
Next in verses 5 to 7 the psalmist speaks of an enduring kingship. While the kingdoms of this earth shake and crumble (Hebrews 12:25-29), the psalmist prays that Jesus’ kingdom will remain “while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!” (v.5, cf Luke 1:31-33). The enduring kingship will bring prosperity “like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth!” (v.6) and flourishing for the righteous who enjoy his eternal holy reign (v.7).
v8-11
Thirdly, in verses 8-11 the psalmist speaks of a universal kingship. He asks that Jesus the king have “dominion from sea to sea, and from the River [Euphrates] to the ends of the earth!” (v.8). All sorts of peoples will come and bow before him, desert tribes (v.9) and distant nations (Tarshish, the Coastlands, Sheba, and Seba, v.10). Enemies will submit (“lick the dust”, v.9), being placed under his feet (1 Cor 15:24-25). All “kings [will] fall down before him, all nations serve him!” (v.11).
v12-14
Fourthly, verses 12-14 speak of Jesus’ concern for the poor and needy. The righteous king “delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper” (v.12). He cares for those who are weak and needy, saving them from those who sinfully oppress and hurt them (vv.13-14). In King Jesus’ eyes, everyone is valued and precious, not just the rich and influential.
v15-17
Fifthly, in verses 15 through 17, the righteous King Jesus brings universal blessing. The psalmist’s desire for his eternal reign is described in the traditional blessing on a king, “Long may he live” (v.15), receive blessings of wealth, and people pray for his continued blessed reign all the time. These blessings should flow not just to the king but overflow in God’s covenantal blessings to all the people, described in terms of great crops and a growing population (v.16).
The king’s name and rule must endure forever, “his fame continue as long as the sun” (v.17). The reason for this is so the covenantal blessing made to Abraham (Gen 12:3) may be fulfilled in this king as the psalmist proclaims “[m]ay people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!” (v.17). Jesus fulfills and mediates the promises of Abraham to all peoples who call upon his name, that all the nations may be blessed.
v18-20
Finally, in verses 18 to 20 the psalmist concludes by blessing God who sends his anointed king. It is only “the LORD, the God of Israel” who should be blessed, because it is God “who alone does wondrous things” (v.18). It is God’s name only which should be blessed for eternity, and “the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!” (v.19). God is worthy of the highest eternal praise, for sending Jesus to bring God’s blessings to the nations.
Our passage applied
As we open presents and meditate on the birth of baby Jesus in a manger in Jerusalem, we must not forget that baby Jesus is the Messiah, the one who was promised by God in days of old. He is “the Son of the Most High” who sits on “the throne of his father David” (Luke 1:32) and “he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:33).
Jesus, not any other earthly ruler, brings true righteousness and justice, cares for the poor and needy, reigns forever over everything, bringing God’s blessings to all the nations. The little baby in a manger is the one through whom all God’s blessings and plans to save us, his people, for himself come to fruition.
Resources
From “My cry ascends” (Psalm 72 on Youtube) “Like rain upon the newborn grass / That falls refreshingly / Like gentle showers that cheer the earth / So shall His coming be. / The righteous in His glorious day / Shall flourish and increase /The earth, until the moon shall fade / Shall have abundant peace.”
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Merry Christmas everybody.
