Psalms 72 · Grade 4
The Ideal King
Read and Think
Psalm 72 is by Solomon, as its title says. It is a prayer for the king and the royal son. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son. The king's power is supposed to serve the poor: he will judge the poor of the people and save the children of the needy.
The psalm uses gentle pictures for this king. He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth. In his days the righteous flourish, and peace abounds until the moon is no more. Kings from Tarshish, Sheba and Seba bring gifts.
The heart of his greatness is mercy. He will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper. Their blood will be precious in his sight. The psalm ends Book II of the Psalms with praise to Yahweh, who alone does marvelous deeds, and the note that this ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.
Show What You Know
Whom is the king's power supposed to serve?
What gentle picture describes the king?
What is the heart of the king's greatness?
What part of the Psalms does this psalm end?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- It is a prayer for the and the royal son.
- God, give the king your ; your righteousness to the royal son.
- He will come down like on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.
- He will deliver the needy when he cries; the , who has no helper.
Think About It
How can people with power use it to help the weak?
How can you be like rain on dry grass for someone this week?
Memory Verse
“For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.”
Psalms 72:12 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for caring for the poor. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- What does it mean that the king's name endures forever?
- How does verse 17 echo the promise to Abraham?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.