In Matthew 6:29 and Luke 12:27 our Saviour referred to the simple beauty of the Lily before declaring “that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. The majesty and sheer opulence of Solomon is proverbial.

When our Lord referred to the Queen of the South, in Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31, coming to hear the wisdom of Solomon He commented that a “greater than Solomon was here”. The Queen of the South was of course the Queen of Sheba who was amazed at Solomon’s grandeur and the sheer efficiency of his Government:

It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard. (2 Chronicles 9:5-6)

Christ, however, has a glory so great that Solomon’s finery is completely eclipsed.

In the Psalm 72 we observe the one who is greater than Solomon. David was praying for Solomon who would succeed him. We know from David’s latter years that he was intensely burdened for his son and the Kingdom after his own decease. Therefore it follows that he prayed earnestly for Solomon. The prayer is aspirational. David had high hopes for Solomon’s reign. He certainly wanted his son to achieve more than he had ever achieved, to succeed where he had failed. While some of David’s hopes were realised and while his prayers were answered to some degree – this Psalm does not fully reflect Solomon. There is a glory present in these words that is not of this earth. We cannot escape the conclusion that a greater than Solomon is here.

Solomon despite all of his promise and success ended in failure and bequeathed the nation a sad legacy of sorrow. The King in this Psalm does not disappoint because He is greater than Solomon.

This study examines the King who is never a disappointment.

HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS

In verses 1-7 Christ’s reign brings peace because it is built on righteousness. This world will not enjoy peace because it is caught in a horrible warp of wickedness and rebellion. Man in the deceitfulness of his heart fails to understand that only obedience to God’s law will bring world peace.

As well as showing us Christ this Psalm, in revealing the perfect King, lays down the fundamentals of perfect government. Ultimately this is met alone in Jesus but still we should hold rulers to account for their failure to implement the law of God.

Christ’s reign brings peace through His righteousness. The picture of His descent upon the earth being like showers that water the earth or like rain upon the mown grass is wonderfully symbolic of the coming of the Spirit. This is not just a picture of revival but of the progress that the gospel will make in the last days of the earth.

“As rain is the free gift of God to the dry ground, it comes free and cheap to poor and rich, small and great, and costs them nothing: so Christ with His blessings is God’s free gift to a dry and perishing world; for which we should be continually thankful. As nothing can stop the falling of the rain, so nothing can hinder Christ’s gracious influences when designs to awake, to convince or to soften a hard heart. When these showers do fall on sinners the most obstinate will must yield, and cry, Lord what wilt thou have me to do”.

John Willison

This sight of Christ has only been marginally fulfilled. There are better days for the world and for the Church, we need to pray for a speedy fulfilment of these wonderful gospel promises.

HIS REIGN

Verses 8-11 refer to the universal extent of Christ’s reign, to the ends of the earth. The Kings and, by inference, Prime Ministers, Presidents and Governments of every shade will pay homage to Christ.

This has not yet been fulfilled. Billions today are worshipping idols, there are lands held in terrible bondage as darkness afflicts minds and burdens hearts. This will be reversed as the Holy Spirit energises the Church and takes the Great Commission into a final and full implementation.

HIS REDEMPTION

Deliverance is the theme of verses 12-14. This King is the champion of the poor and needy and executes justice on behalf of the oppressed. In verse 14 the great gospel term “redeem” is employed. Where Jesus reigns souls are set free, redeemed from the enslavement of sin by the power of Christ’s blood.

American Theologian Charles Hodge, when examining this Psalm looked at the Kingdom described – (1) Everlasting, (2) Universal, (3) Securing perfect peace with God and good with men, (4) All men are brought to submission, (5) All nations blessed. For Hodge there was only one conclusion to be drawn – “The subject of this Psalm is the Redeemer of the world”.

HIS REJOICING

The remainder of the Psalm (verses 15-19) is taken up with resurrection joy.

“He shall live” (verse 15). Christ lives, sustained by the power of an endless life. This is fundamental to Christ’s reign , His Kingdom and gospel glory.

“Prayer also shall be made for him continually” (verse 15). Praying for Christ is to pray for the progress of His Kingdom on earth, His Church. It is to pray for an in gathering of souls, for the defeat of His enemies and for the glory of His name.

“Daily he shall be praised“ (verse 15). Christ focal point of history and of the Church. When the world is subject to His order He has all the preeminence!

The 16th verse is descriptive of a remarkable prosperity with corn growing on the very summits of the mountains. As the exercise of the Great Commission reaches its climax souls will be redeemed in lands where the gospel has never before had any recognisable impact. The Christianisation of the Arabian peninsula, the coming of the Palestinians to faith, revival in the great lands of Turkey, Iran, Iraq, India and China are all in view here. Long lost tribes in primitive superstition will be saved. Most importantly – the Jew will discover His Messiah and all Israel will be saved. The halcyon days of Christ’s reign will have dawned!

“His name shall endure forever, his name shall be continued as long as the sun”

We see on the shore of time the wrecks of the Caesars, the relics of the Moguls, and the last remnants of the Ottomans, Charlemagne, Napoleon, Maximilian, Napoleon, how they flit like shadows before us! They were and are not; but Jesus forever is.

CH Spurgeon

“All nations shall shall call him blessed” (verse 17). The Abrahamic covenant, that all families would be blessed through his seed, will finally be fulfilled.

The world is looking for Hope. Men and women are longing for answers to the age old questions which perplex. The truth is right here in this book, the Bible. It is not found in a philosophical system but in a man – Christ Jesus.

Through Him and Him alone God doeth wondrous things!

O’re every foe victorious, He on His throne shall dear,
From age to age more glorious, all-blessing and all-blest,
The tide of time shall never His covenant remove,
His name shall stand forever - that Name to us is Love.
(James Montgomery)

The Psalms are divided into five books. Psalm 72 marks the end of Book 2. The doxology, or a high note of praise to God is a fitting way to close off this volume – the Lamb alone is worthy!

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,
who only doeth wondrous things.
And blessed be his glorious name for ever:
and let the whole earth be filled with his glory; Amen, and Amen.

(Verses 18-19)