Psalms 72

1 A psalm of Solomon. God, please give the king fairness, and give the king's son the ability to do what's right.

For Solomon. O God, give the king thy judgments, and thy righteousness unto the king's son.

2 May he rightly judge your people, and may he be fair to the poor.

He will judge thy people with righteousness, and thine afflicted with judgment.

3 May the mountains bring peace to the people, and the hills bring goodness.

The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the hills, by righteousness.

4 May he defend the poor and save their children, may he crush those who oppress them.

He will do justice to the afflicted of the people; he will save the children of the needy, and will break in pieces the oppressor.

5 May they respect him as long as the sun and the moon shine above, for all generations.

They shall fear thee as long as sun and moon endure, from generation to generation.

6 May his reign be like rain falling on new grass, like showers that water the earth.

He shall come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.

7 May those who live right prosper under his rule; may there be great prosperity until the moon is no more.

In his days shall the righteous flourish, and abundance of peace till the moon be no more.

8 May he rule from sea to sea, from the river to the ends of the earth.

And he shall have dominion from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

9 Desert tribes will kneel before him; and his enemies will bite the dust.

The dwellers in the desert shall bow before him, and his enemies shall lick the dust.

10 The kings of Tarshish and the islands will bring him tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him with gifts.

The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall render presents; the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer tribute:

11 Every king will bow down to him; every nation will serve him.

Yea, all kings shall bow down before him; all nations shall serve him.

12 He will help the poor when they cry out to him, and help those who are suffering that have no one to support them.

For he will deliver the needy who crieth, and the afflicted, who hath no helper;

13 He has pity on the poor and needy—he saves their lives!

He will have compassion on the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy:

14 He rescues them from violence and oppression, for their lives mean so much to him.

He will redeem their souls from oppression and violence, and precious shall their blood be in his sight.

15 May he live long! May the gold from Sheba be given to him. May people always pray for him and bless him all day long.

And he shall live; and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba; and prayer shall be made for him continually: all the day shall he be blessed.

16 May there be plenty of grain in the land, even growing on mountain-tops. May the fruit on the trees sway like the trees of Lebanon. May the people in the city flourish like grass in a field.

There shall be abundance of corn in the earth, upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon; and they of the city shall bloom like the herb of the earth.

17 May his fame live forever, may it last as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed through him, and may they praise him.

His name shall endure for ever; his name shall be continued as long as the sun: and [men] shall bless themselves in him; all nations shall call him blessed.

18 Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who is the only one who can do such fantastic things!

Blessed be Jehovah Elohim, the God of Israel, who alone doeth wondrous things!

19 Praise his wonderful nature forever! May the whole world be full of his glory! Amen and amen!

And blessed be his glorious name for ever! and let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen, and Amen.

20 (This is the end of the psalms of David, son of Jesse.)

The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.