PSALM 72 - DAVID'S FINAL PSALM OF ENCOURAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 72,

Psalm 72 is one of those prayers that has commentators disagreeing over its authorship - was it David or Solomon. Personally, I can see both sides of the argument:

* David was seeking guidance from the Lord as he handed over the leadership of his kingdom to his son Solomon. He wanted him to have wisdom and sound judgement, following the ways of the Lord.

* Solomon also sought the same for himself. He was looking forward to his reign as king, and could use all of God's goodness and wisdom, as his father left not only the important task of  'building the temple' in his hands, but he also had a heart for the helping the `poor and outcast'. 

This psalm is indeed a prayer that both David and Solomon would have prayed. It is probable that David, being so close to death had not the strength to do the writing, so Solomon may have been his scribe. It is prayer, 'for a king to his successor, but also for future generations.'

"It is we conjecture the Prayer of David, but the Psalm of Solomon. Without all doubt, JESUS IS HERE, in the glory of HIS REIGN, both as He is now, and as He will be in His latter glory." 

                                                                                Charles H Spurgeon

Most commentators believe it is a Messianic Psalm, as we hear many references to the 'eternal, perfect reign of Christ, the King of Kings.' Whether David or Solomon write this psalm is not really important;  what is, is this example of Christ we are to follow:

"For He will help the poor when they cry out and will save the needy when they cry out for help. He will be kind to the weak and the poor; and He will save their lives. He will save them from the cruel people who try to hurt them because their lives are precious to them."  

                                                                         PSALM 72:12-14 (NLT)

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for He has annointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He sent me to proclaim release to the captives, that the blinds will see and the oppressed will be set free."   LUKE 14:18  (CEV)

HISTORY  -  Read 1 Chronicles 28&29

David, nearing on the end of his life, reflected on the building on God's temple, made a speech to his son Solomon, prayed for him and rejoiced with his people. What an awesome gathering that must have been. Hundreds of people surrounding their beloved king, with his son Solomon by his side, whom God had chosen to be his successor. 

Solomon means `peace' , and as their new king, he was to be a diplomat and peacemaker, rather than a "man of war" like his father. God needed a man with a different temperant than David, not only to lead His people, but to build His Temple. 

These final words from his father came with deep emotion and from David's own experience:

1. Son, KNOW THE LORD, THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. Above all else, GET TO KNOW HIM DEEPLY....INTIMATELY.

2. Son, SERVE THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. Don't feel you are forced to worship him, but do it WILLINGLY AND WHOLEHEARTEDLY. Hold nothing back.

3. Son, SEEK THE GOD OF YOUR FATHER. What a heritage you have to build on.  We have gone over the plans of this temple and prayed together; now the spiritual leadership of the people is up to you. 

4. Finally son, RULE YOUR PEOPLE WISELY, WITH COURAGE AND TRUST IN THE LORD. I know the problems you will face as a king and a diplomat, but remember, whatever you face, GOD WILL BE WITH YOU ALL THE WAY.

David now turned to his people. They were now ready to receive their new king. Solomon was young, inexperienced, yet HE WAS CHOSEN BY GOD and he was ready to follow his father's advice. The nation of Israel was now UNIFIED -  a royal capital had been established in Jerusalem, their military forces were respected and there was PEACE in surrounding districts. The people were HUNGERING FOR GOD and His wisdom through Solomon.

David and Solomon both had reason to be grateful. Just as Psalm 72 finishes with words of THANKSGIVING, WORSHIP AND PRAISE to their Lord, so does this prayer in 1 Chronicles. 

"Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory and the majesty. Everything in the Heavens and the earth is yours, O Lord, and this is Your Kingdom. We adore You as the One who is over all things. Wealth and honour come from You alone, for You rule over everything. Power and might are in Your hand, and at Your discretion people are made great and given strength. O our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious Name."   1 CHRONICLES 29:11-13 (NLT)

SOLOMON'S NEW KINGDOM - Read Psalm 72:1-11, 1 Kings 10;                                                                                

There were 3 things both David and Solomon wanted for their new Kingdom:

1. FOR JUSTICE TO BE ADMINISTERED FAIRLY TO THE POOR

As a joint agreement between the king and the government, the vulnerable in society needed to be rescued. In this case - `the children of the needy'. 

2. PROTECTION FOR ALL ISRAEL.

This could only be obtained by the `breaking down of their oppressors' - again only accomplished if the government and the king worked together.

3. A WELL GOVERNED, PEACEFUL KINGDOM, WITH GOOD PRODUCING LAND. 

This could only happen if the people returned to the worship of God. Religious faith would hopefully flourish with the building of God's Temple, and then the ``true King of Kings' would be honoured. Solomon would be loved by all his people, but also they would be encouraged to pray for the coming Messiah.

The fulfillment of Solomon's reign was a fulfillment of prophecy made by Nathan the prophet to his father David:

"Furthermore, the Lord declares that he will make a house for you - a dynasty of kings! For when you die and are buried with your ancestors, I will raise up one of your descendents, your own offspring, and I will make his kingdom strong. He is the one who will build a house - a temple - for My Name. And I will secure his royal throne forever."  2 Samuel 7:11-13   (NLT)

"So King Solomon became richer and wiser than any other king on earth. People from every nation came to consult  with him and to hear the wisdom God had given him. Year after year everyone who visited him brought him gifts of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses and mules." 1 Kings 10: 23-25   (NLT)

Solomon, like his father, was highly exalted. After his father died, at a ripe old age, there was `sadness and grief', but only for a short time, for they knew that in Solomon they had a great, servant of God and his people, with a `passion for truth and love for his next generation'. 

THE MESSIANIC PRAYER - Read Psalm 72:12-17, 2 Samuel 7

Solomon aspired to be a just and righteous king who cared for the poor and oppressed. This is also a great description of the Messianic King of Kings - Jesus Christ.

"May His name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All the nations will be blessed through Him, and they will call Him blessed."  Psalm 72:17

Commentators debate if the king spoken of in these verses is Solomon or the Messiah, but again, although David would have wanted to have seen his son to be blessed, , we can sense that there is indeed reference to the `Greater Son of David', the 'Greater King of Kings'. We know that Jesus, the Messiah's fame would indeed endure forever. 

"Furthermore, the Lord declares that He will make a house for you - a dynasty of kings!...... Your house and your Kingdom will continue before me for all time, and your throne will secure forever."  2 Samuel 7:11 & 16   (NLT)

"For you are God, O Sovereign Lord. Your Words are truth, and you have promised these good things to your servant. And now may it please you to bless the house of your servant, so that it can continue forever before you. For you have spoken, and when you grant a blessing to your servant, O Sovereign Lord, it is an ETERNAL BLESSING." 2 Samuel 7:7:28&29  (NLT)

David is passionate in prayer for the fulfillment of this Messianic prophecy. Solomon recognizes that this King of Kings is indeed the fulfilfillment of this promise. This passage speaks powerfully of Christ's Kingdom. He indeed has dominion, as 'HE LIVES, HE SAVES, DE DELIVERS and HE IS PRAISED."

To us, Psalm 72 is a prophecy of HOPE, for the Messiah has come, and we can sing His praises and await His second coming, when He will REIGN FOREVER.

CONCLUSION - Psalm 72:18-20

David closes his life with this prayer of praise - it is the last psalm he ever wrote. He closes it with a double seal - AMEN AND AMEN.

"Praise His glorious name forever. Let His glory fill the whole world." Amen and Amen

                                                                  Psalm 72:20

"May God be glorified, may the Kingdom of the Messiah be set up and there is nothing further I desire."  Matthew Henry. 

                            ______________________________________________

'Devotional Bible, New Century Version' (2003) Thomas Nelson, 

'Holy Bible, New Living Translation (2015) Tyndale House Foundation

Henry, Matthew; Manser, Martin H (2008) "New Matthew Henry Commentary - The Classic Work with Updated Language", Zondervan Publishers.

Spurgeon, Charles H (1869, 2019) "Treasury of David", Christianity.com.

Swindoll, Charles R  (1997) "David - A Man of Passion & Destiny", Thomas Nelson

2. 

PSALM 60 - THROUGH OUR GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 60, 2 Samuel 8:1-14

Remember the old Maranatha chorus we used to sing:

"Through our God we shall do valiantly
It is He who will break down our enemies,
We shall sing and shout our victories,
Christ is King.

For God has won the victory and set His people free
His Word has slain the enemy,
The earth shall stand and sing that.....

Through our God..... (Repeat)      -    (Maranatha)

I used to sing this with such valour. No matter what was going on in my life, I knew that God on my side. The devil may attack and bring me down, but He could never leave me there, for I had VICTORY THROUGH JESUS, MY LORD AND SAVIOUR.

David believed this too. He had fought many literal battles - with Philistia, Moab, Syria, Ammon - and with God at His side, He and his soldiers had been victors. Now, he was in battle again, away from home, and meanwhile there were natural disasters and other enemies coming from another side to attack his home town, and he could do nothing to help his people. Fear was sneaking in. He still trusted in the living God, he was just wondering a little if He was maybe `letting his people down'. He was seeking answers, he was seeking help.

But the doubt didn't last for long, for with these new battles ahead, David needed to reminded himself of past experiences.  David had seen many brave men accomplish great things at his side, but as they went up against `the fortified city of Edom', he knew he knew they would only win with God at their side. He had to `fly his banner of allegiance and trust' (David Guzik, 2015), - to a God who had never let Him down before. `

"He gave them a sign, which would be a rallying point for their hosts and proof that He had sent them to fight and would be guaranteed victory."  (Charles Sturgeon, 1885)

We too, can take hold of this banner, and remind ourselves, that, `THROUGH GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY."

RAISE THE BANNER - Psalm 60:1-4

All the world - from Texas, Mexico, California, Puerto Rico, Northern Ireland - to name a few, the brunt of natural disasters, storms and fires have ravaged the country side, taking people's hopes and lives.  Terrorism and shootings are also ravaging America, England and the world. People are feeling rejected and shaken. But under the `BANNER OF HOPE', with God on their side, they have rallied together to restore their faith.

David felt like God had shook His world. He also knew that God could heal it. He didn't spend too long dwelling in disaster, but finding comfort in God's love and mercy, his faith returned, He rallied His people together under their `banner of allegiance'.

"The concept of a BANNER was connected to Israel's reliance upon God and His `guarantee of victory'. (David Guzik, 2015)

DELIVERANCE AND PEACE - Psalm 60:5-8,  2 Samuel 8:1-4, 2 Samuel 10:6-14.

David had fought many battles against the Syrians and many other nations: Moabites, Ammonites, Philistines and Amelikes, and then of course the 12,000 Edomites that he and Joab struck down at the Valley of Salt, after which David put garrisons up throughout Edom, and the Edomites all became subject to him.

Wow! No wonder he was famous. Not just with his own people, but with other nations. His own generals and soldiers really admired him. But David knew how to handle success. He knew that the praise and glory belonged to God, and this is what the people noticed too.

God used David as he went into victory over his enemies, and each of these victories was `a testimony of God's preserving power in David's life'. (David Guzik (2002)

"The Lord gave David victory wherever He went." 2 Samuel 18:14b  (NIV)

David was protected by God wherever he went, for David always fought for the glory of God. Even the spoils David took from his victories were taken back and placed in the temple in Jerusalem, and dedicated to God.

Joab was David's wisest generals, and later in 2 Samuel 10, we read how when surrounded by the Syrians and Ammonites, David chose him to go out to battle for him. The Ammonites were at the gates of the city and the Syrians were out in the fields. Joab could see that the enemies were well prepared, and many other generals would have considered surrender, but not Joab.  For he had taken lessons from David, who had trusted in an ever faithful God.

He called his army together and gave them this speech:

"Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight."  2 Samuel 10:19 (NIV)

Courage and strength are not matters of feeling. They are a CHOICE that we make when we allow God's power to be used through us.

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power." Ephesians 6:10 (NLT)

Joab reminded them who they were fighting for - their families, and God's city. The battle was bigger than themselves.

Finally, the battle was not in their hands, but in God's. Oh Joab could make his plans, and he did. He took the choicest men under his command, and gave the rest to his brother. He told his brother, that if the Ammonites were too strong for him, he would come to his rescue. But ultimately, he knew THE VICTORY WAS THE LORD'S!

And what was the outcome? When Joab and his soldiers drew near, the Syrians fled. When the Ammonites say the Syrians fleeing, they fled too. Later the Syrians regrouped and came back - they weren't quitters - but either were David and Joab.

"When David was told this, he gathered all Israel, crossed the Jordan and went to Helam. The Arameans formed the battle lines to meet David and fought against him. But they fled before Israel and David killed 700 of their charioteers and 40,000 of their foot soldiers. He also struck down Shobach the commander of the army, and he died there. When all the kings saw that they had been defeated by Israel, THEY MADE PEACE with the Israelites and became subject to them." 
2 Chronicles 10:17-19 (NIV)

"Let the PEACE OF CHRIST rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to PEACE. And be thankful."  Colossians 3:15 (NLT)

Peace - that is what God ultimately has for us.  Our battles may `not be against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against authorities, against the powers of this dark work word and against the spiritual forces of this heavenly realm', (Ephesians 6:12) but like David, we can stand and have DELIVERANCE and PEACE, when we know that Jesus Christ our Saviour is on our side.

"Therefore put on the full armour of God, so when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything to stand."  Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)

THROUGH OUR GOD WE SHALL DO VALIANTLY - Read Psalm 60:9-12


David had seen many brave men accomplish great things in battle, but still he knew that it was only through God at his side that His enemies could ultimately be defeated. This psalm that began for David in defeat, was ending in victory, with God on His side.  So it is with our lives!!