Psalms 72

1 A psalm written by Solomon. O God, enable [me, ] the king [whom you appointed in Israel], to rule justly. Show/Teach me how to judge matters fairly

A psalm on Solomon.

2 in order that I will judge your people fairly, that I will govern your oppressed people justly.

Give to the king thy judgment, O God: and to the king’s son thy justice: To judge thy people with justice, and thy poor with judgment.

3 I desire that [all over the country—even] on the hills and mountains [DOU]— people will live peacefully and righteously.

Let the mountains receive peace for the people: and the hills justice.

4 Help [me], your king, to defend the poor people and to rescue needy people and to defeat those who oppress them.

He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: and he shall humble the oppressor.

5 I desire that your people will revere you as long as the moon shines, [forever].

And he shall continue with the sun, and before the moon, throughout all generations.

6 I desire that my rule will [be enjoyed by the people] [SIM] like [they enjoy] rain on growing crops, like [they enjoy] showers that fall on the land.

He shall come down like rain upon the fleece; and as showers falling gently upon the earth.

7 I hope/desire that people will live righteously during the years that I rule, and that my people will live peacefully and prosperously as long as the moon shines.

In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, till the moon be taken sway.

8 I hope/desire that the kings [of Israel] will rule [the people] in all the area from one sea [in the east] to another [in the west], and from the [Euphrates] River to the most remote/distant places on earth.

And he shall rule from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9 I hope/desire that those who live in the desert will bow down before them, and that their enemies will throw themselves on the ground [in submission] to them.

Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: and his enemies shall lick the ground.

10 I hope/desire that the kings of Spain and of the islands [in the Mediterranean Sea] will bring (tribute money/taxes) to the kings [of Israel], and that the kings of Sheba [to the south] and of Seba [to the southwest] will bring them gifts.

The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:

11 I hope/desire that all the [other] kings [in the world] will bow before the kings [of Israel], and that [people of] all nations will serve them.

And all kings of the earth shall adore him: all nations shall serve him.

12 They will rescue poor people when they (cry out/plead) for help, and help those who are needy and those who have no one to help them.

For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: and the needy that had no helper.

13 They will pity those who are weak and needy; he saves the people’s lives.

He shall spare the poor and needy: and he shall save the souls of the poor.

14 Our kings will rescue the people from being oppressed and from being treated cruelly, [because] (their lives/they) [MTY] are precious to our kings.

He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: and their names shall be honourable in his sight.

15 I hope/desire that our kings will live a long time! I hope/desire that they will be given gold from Sheba. I desire that people will always pray for our kings and praise them all the time, [every day].

And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: they shall bless him all the day.

16 I hope/desire that the fields will produce plenty of grain [everywhere, even] on the tops of the hills in the land where they rule, like the grain that grows [on the hills] in Lebanon. I hope/desire that the cities [in Israel] will be full of people like the fields are full of grass.

And there shall be a firmament on the earth on the tops of mountains, above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.

17 I desire that the names of our kings will never be forgotten. I hope/desire that people will remember them as long as the sun shines. I hope/desire that people of all nations will ask (God to bless them/that they will be blessed by God) just like he has blessed the kings [of Israel].

Let his name be blessed for evermore: his name continueth before the sun. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: all nations shall magnify him.

18 Praise Yahweh, the God whom [we] Israelis [worship]; he is the only one who does wonderful things.

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who alone doth wonderful things.

19 Praise him forever! I desire that (his glory will fill the whole world/people all over the world may see that he is very great) [MTY]! Amen! May it be so!

And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

20 That is the end of this group of prayers/songs written by David, the son of Jesse.

The praises of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.