Give the King Thy Judgments and Defend the Poor

Psalm 72 is associated with Solomon and opens as a prayer that the king receive God’s justice. Royal success is measured by righteous judgment, defense of the poor, rescue of the needy, and opposition to oppression—not merely territory or wealth.

This ideal exceeds the record of every ordinary king and becomes important in later messianic reading. Christian tradition rightly sees its fullest realization in Christ, yet A careful reading should begin with the psalm’s political theology: God’s king is accountable for justice on behalf of vulnerable people.