Psalm 72 closes Book II of the Psalter with David’s prayer for the ideal king - a 20-verse royal psalm praying for justice for the poor, dominion from sea to sea, and a name that endures forever and blesses all nations on earth.

Full sung version coming soon.

Lyrics

God, give the king your justice Your righteousness to the royal son

He will judge your people with righteousness And your poor with justice The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people The hills bring the fruit of righteousness He will judge the poor of the people He will save the children of the needy And will break the oppressor in pieces

They shall fear you while the sun endures And as long as the moon throughout all generations He will come down like rain on the mown grass As showers that water the earth

In his days the righteous shall flourish And abundance of peace until the moon is no more He shall have dominion also from sea to sea From the River to the ends of the earth

Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him His enemies shall lick the dust The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts Yes all kings shall fall down before him All nations shall serve him

For he will deliver the needy when he cries The poor who has no helper He will have pity on the poor and needy He will save the souls of the needy He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence

His name endures forever His name continues as long as the sun Men shall be blessed by him All nations will call him blessed Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel Who alone does marvellous deeds

Blessed be his glorious name forever Let the whole earth be filled with his glory Amen and amen

Listen

Psalms 72 sung by Psalm Selah. The whole Bible, one chapter at a time.

Published 2026-05-22 · Last updated 2026-06-06
Written by Reid Wender, Editorial Director at Psalmody Press