Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 72
Overview:
David begins with a
Prayer for
Solomon.
(1) He passes into a
Prophecy of the glories of his reign, and of
Christ's kingdom.
(2-17) Praise to
God.
(18-20)
1 This psalm belongs to
Solomon in part, but to
Christ more
fully and clearly.
Solomon was both the
King and the
King's son,
and his pious
Father desired that the
Wisdom of
God might be in
him, that his reign might be a remembrance of the kingdom of the
Messiah. It is the
Prayer of a
Father for his
Child; a dying
blessing. The best we can ask of
God for our children is, that
God would give them
Wisdom and
Grace to know and to do their
duty.
2-17 This is a
Prophecy of the kingdom of
Christ; many passages
in it cannot be applied to the reign of
Solomon. There were
Righteousness and peace at first in the administration of his
government; but, before the
End of his reign, there were
troubles and unrighteousness. The kingdom here spoken of is to
last as long as the
Sun, but
Solomon's was soon at an
End. Even
the Jewish expositors understood it of the kingdom of the
Messiah. Observe many great and precious promises here made,
which were to have full accomplishment only in the kingdom of
Christ. As far as his kingdom is set up, discord and contentions
cease, in families, churches, and nations. The
Law of
Christ,
written in the
Heart, disposes men to be honest and just, and to
render to all their due; it likewise disposes men to live in
Love, and
So produces abundance of peace.
Holiness and
Love
shall be lasting in
Christ's kingdom. Through all the changes of
the world, and all the changes of
Life,
Christ's kingdom will
support itself. And he shall,
By the graces and comforts of his
Spirit, come down like
Rain upon the mown
Grass; not
On that cut
down, but that which is left growing, that it may
Spring again.
His
Gospel has been, or shall be, preached to all nations.
Though he needs not the services of any, yet he must be served
with the best. Those that have the wealth of this world, must
serve
Christ with it, do good with it.
Prayer shall be made
through him, or for his sake; whatever we ask of the
Father,
should be in his name. Praises shall be offered to him: we are
under the highest obligations to him.
Christ only shall be
feared throughout all generations. To the
End of time, and to
eternity, his name shall be praised. All nations shall
Call HIM
blessed.
18-20 We are taught to
Bless God in
Christ, for all he has done
for us
By him.
David is
Earnest in
Prayer for the fulfilment of
this
Prophecy and promise. It is sad to think how empty the
Earth is of the
Glory of
God, how little service and honour he
has from a world to which he is
So bountiful. May we, like
David, submit to
Christ's authority, and partake of his
Righteousness and peace. May we
Bless him for the wonders of
redeeming
Love. May we spend our days, and
End our lives,
praying for the spread of his
Gospel.