PSALM 72 THE ARGUMENT That this Psalm was made by David is evident
from PSALMS 72:20, and that it was made with respect to Solomon is no
less certain from the very title of it: and that David, or at least
the Holy Ghost, which dictated this Psalm, did took beyond Solomon,
and unto the Messiah, of wh... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL JUDGE, to wit, if thou givest him what I have desired. And by
this prediction he doth tacitly admonish him of, and oblige him to,
the performance of his duty herein. Or, _Let him judge_; the future
being put for the imperative, as hath been oft observed. So it is a
prayer. THY PEOPLE; for t... [ Continue Reading ]
He mentioneth the MOUNTAINS and HILLS, as bringing forth this blessed
fruit; either because such places are usually barren, and therefore
this was an evidence of extraordinary fruitfulness, and a special
blessing of God; or because they are dangerous to passengers, in
regard of the robbers and wild... [ Continue Reading ]
JUDGE, i.e. vindicate them from their potent oppressors, as _judging_
is used, PSALMS 43:1, and oft elsewhere. THE CHILDREN OF THE NEEDY;
whom the rich peradventure did seize upon for bondmen, upon some
pretence or other.... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR; or, _reverence_, or _worship_, as this word is used, ISAIAH
29:13, compared with MATTHEW 15:9, and elsewhere. _Thee_; either,
1. Thee, O king, to whom he suddenly turneth his speech. And so this
is hyperbolically true of Solomon, but truly and literally of Christ.
Or rather,
2. Thee, O God, o... [ Continue Reading ]
COME DOWN, to wit, by the influences of his government upon his people
under him. But this phrase doth much better agree to Christ, who was
yet to come, and who did come down from heaven, and brought or sent
down from heaven his doctrine, which is oft compared to rain, and the
sweet and powerful inf... [ Continue Reading ]
SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS FLOURISH; as the wicked shall be discountenanced
and punished, so good men shall be encouraged, and advanced, and
multiplied. SO LONG AS THE MOON ENDURETH, i.e. as long as time and the
world shall last; which neither was nor could be true of Solomon, who
lived not long, and the p... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM SEA TO SEA; either,
1. From the Dead Sea or the Lake of Sodom, or from the Red Sea, to the
Midland Sea; for so far did Solomon's dominion extend: but so did
David's also; and therefore in that respect Solomon hath not that
pre-eminence which this promise plainly seems to give him above his
pre... [ Continue Reading ]
IN THE WILDERNESS; in solitary places; even rude and barbarous people,
who lived without order and government among themselves; of which sort
great numbers submitted to Christ, and received the gospel. SHALL LICK
THE DUST, i.e. shall prostrate themselves to the ground, in token of
reverence and subj... [ Continue Reading ]
OF TARSHISH AND OF THE ISLES; or, _of the sea_ (as Tarshish is
understood, 1 KINGS 22:48 PSALMS 48:7) _and_ (or, that is; for that
conjunction is oft used exegetically) _of the isles_, i.e. of remote
countries, to which they used to go from Canaan by sea; all which are
frequently called _isles_ in S... [ Continue Reading ]
Which cannot be said of Solomon with any truth or colour, but was
unquestionably verified in Christ; of whom therefore this must be
understood. For what is said 1 KINGS 4:21, that _Solomon reigned over
all kingdoms_, is there limited to them that reigned _from the river
unto Egypt_; whereas the expr... [ Continue Reading ]
The fame of his just and merciful government shall induce multitudes
either to put themselves under him, or to show great respect and
reverence to him.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE SOULS, properly so called; this being Christ's proper work to save
souls; or, the lives, which oppressors shall endeavour to take away.... [ Continue Reading ]
DECEIT AND VIOLENCE; the two ways whereby the souls or lives of men
are usually destroyed. PRECIOUS SHALL THEIR BLOOD BE IN HIS SIGHT; he
will not be prodigal of the lives of his subjects, casting them away
merely to gratify his own revenge, or covetousness, or insatiable
desire of enlarging his emp... [ Continue Reading ]
HE SHALL LIVE, to wit, long and prosperously, as Solomon did; yea,
eternally, as Christ did. Other kings must lose both their lives and
kingdoms; but this King, whom Solomon typified, shall live for ever,
and his kingdom shall have no end. OF THE GOLD OF SHEBA; as a present,
or tribute. This was don... [ Continue Reading ]
AN HANDFUL OF CORN; which intimates the small beginnings of this
kingdom; and therefore doth not agree to Solomon, whose kingdom was in
a manner as large at the beginning of his reign ms at the end; but it
exactly agrees to Christ and his kingdom, MATTHEW 13:31,32. IN THE
EARTH; sown in the earth. U... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS NAME; the honour and renown of his eminent wisdom, and justice,
and goodness; which agrees but very obscurely; and imperfectly to
Solomon, who stained the glory of his reign by his prodigious luxury
and oppression, and apostacy from God, into which he fell in the
latter part of his days. SHALL B... [ Continue Reading ]
Who hath given to his people such a glorious and excellent king and
governor, and such wonderful blessings as they do and shall enjoy
under his government.... [ Continue Reading ]
Heb. _the whole earth shall be filled with his glory_. For this may be
either a prayer for or a prophecy of the spreading of the true
religion in the Gentile world; which evidently relates to Christ and
his kingdom.... [ Continue Reading ]
This Psalm is called the last of David's Psalms; (which are called
prayers, because they consist very much of prayers;) either,
1. The last of that part or book of the Psalms, which reached from the
beginning of the Psalms hitherto, whereof the far greatest number were
composed by David, and all of... [ Continue Reading ]