Psalms 72

Psalms 72:1

THE title, [For Solomon] that is to say, penned by David to tecommend Solomon his son and successor to God: and to set before himselfe the true modell of Christs most perfect Kingdome of whom hee was a figure, that imitating his vertues, hee might draw upon him, the aforenamed blessings of his Kingdome. Thy judgements] that is to say, put thy lawes which are the rule of well governing, in his minde, that hee may know them; and in his heart and will that hee may execute them. Now in respect of Christ, this is a prophecy of the fullness: of the gifts of the holy Ghost, which were conferred upon his humane nature, Isa. 11. 2. 3. 4.

Psalms 72:3

The mountaines] figurative termes, as much as to say, there shall every where bee justice, and peace in abundance; whereof the first comprehends all the vertues and properties of a good government; the other all the happinesses which ensue.

Psalms 72:5

They shall] that is to say, thy people and thine elect, shall be induced by these loving kindnesses of the Messias, and brought to a sincere and voluntary performance of Gods service.

Psalms 72:6

Come down] hee shall bring comfort, and refreshment, and new plenty of spirituall vertues into the world, which is quite scorched with iniquities, and all blessings quite dried up in it, see Iob 19. 23.

Psalms 72:8

From sea] Solomon indeed reigned from the sea of Sodom, or from the red sea, to the mediterranean sea East and West; and from the river Euphrates, to the uttermost bounds of the land of Canaan, North and South, 1 Kings 4:24. according to the bounds which God had set down, Exodus 23:31 Numbers 34:3. But all this was but a shaddow, and figure of Christs Kingdome which was to spread over all the earth.

Psalms 72:9

Shall lick] they shall prostrate themselves before him, with their faces groveling upon the ground, according to the fashion of the Easterne people, as Isaiah 49:23.

Psalms 72:10

Of Tarshish] namely of all the sea-coasts see Psal. 48. 7. and that which was spoken of Solomon, 1 Kings 10:1-29. was but a small essay in this point, but the perfect accomplishment of it, was in Christ, who sitteth at the fathers right hand above all powers and dominations, Ephes. 1. 21.

Psalms 72:14

Pretious] that is to say, hee will keepe it from shedding, or hee will be avenged upon them that shall shed it, see 2 Kings 1:13.

Psalms 72:15

Prayer shall be] not for Christ himselfe, who is farre from needing any assistance from man. Yea hee alone, hath prayed, and doth pray the father for all men, by the only vertue of his most perfect justice: according to the property of his office of Mediator, and intercessor. But prayer is made for the manifestation, preservation, and increase of his Kingdome, and for his body which is the Church, see Psal. 18. 46. and 118. 25. 26 Matthew 6:10.

Psalms 72:16

In the earth] a figurative description of a great plenty and abundance; the meaning is, that of a little seed sowen the eares of corne shall grow to such a height, and fullnesse, that they shall make a noyse in the ayre like the cedars of Lebanon driven with the winde.

Psalms 72:17

Shall call him blessed] the Italian, shall bee blessed in him, or they shall blesse themselves in him, that is to say, they shall glory in the happinesse which they enjoy through his loving kindnesse. Or they will esteeme and acknowledge that all the good which they have, proceedeth from him alone.

Psalms 72:20

Are ended] this is the last Psalme which David penned, leaving it as a deposite, or legacy to Solomon.