Psalms 72

1 A psalm written by Solomon. O God, enable [me, ] the king [whom you appointed in Israel], to rule justly. Show/Teach me how to judge matters fairly

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

2 in order that I will judge your people fairly, that I will govern your oppressed people justly.

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

3 I desire that [all over the country—even] on the hills and mountains [DOU]— people will live peacefully and righteously.

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

4 Help [me], your king, to defend the poor people and to rescue needy people and to defeat those who oppress them.

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

5 I desire that your people will revere you as long as the moon shines, [forever].

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

6 I desire that my rule will [be enjoyed by the people] [SIM] like [they enjoy] rain on growing crops, like [they enjoy] showers that fall on the land.

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

7 I hope/desire that people will live righteously during the years that I rule, and that my people will live peacefully and prosperously as long as the moon shines.

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

8 I hope/desire that the kings [of Israel] will rule [the people] in all the area from one sea [in the east] to another [in the west], and from the [Euphrates] River to the most remote/distant places on earth.

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

9 I hope/desire that those who live in the desert will bow down before them, and that their enemies will throw themselves on the ground [in submission] to them.

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

10 I hope/desire that the kings of Spain and of the islands [in the Mediterranean Sea] will bring (tribute money/taxes) to the kings [of Israel], and that the kings of Sheba [to the south] and of Seba [to the southwest] will bring them gifts.

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

11 I hope/desire that all the [other] kings [in the world] will bow before the kings [of Israel], and that [people of] all nations will serve them.

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

12 They will rescue poor people when they (cry out/plead) for help, and help those who are needy and those who have no one to help them.

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

13 They will pity those who are weak and needy; he saves the people’s lives.

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

14 Our kings will rescue the people from being oppressed and from being treated cruelly, [because] (their lives/they) [MTY] are precious to our kings.

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

15 I hope/desire that our kings will live a long time! I hope/desire that they will be given gold from Sheba. I desire that people will always pray for our kings and praise them all the time, [every day].

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.

16 I hope/desire that the fields will produce plenty of grain [everywhere, even] on the tops of the hills in the land where they rule, like the grain that grows [on the hills] in Lebanon. I hope/desire that the cities [in Israel] will be full of people like the fields are full of grass.

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.

17 I desire that the names of our kings will never be forgotten. I hope/desire that people will remember them as long as the sun shines. I hope/desire that people of all nations will ask (God to bless them/that they will be blessed by God) just like he has blessed the kings [of Israel].

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.

18 Praise Yahweh, the God whom [we] Israelis [worship]; he is the only one who does wonderful things.

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

19 Praise him forever! I desire that (his glory will fill the whole world/people all over the world may see that he is very great) [MTY]! Amen! May it be so!

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

20 That is the end of this group of prayers/songs written by David, the son of Jesse.

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