Psalms 72: A King Who Helps the Poor

Psalm 72 is by Solomon, as the title says. It is a prayer for the king: God, give the king your justice. The king will judge the poor fairly, save the needy and come down like rain on the grass. His name will endure forever, and the whole earth will be filled with God's glory. The psalm ends, This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.

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Read Psalms 72

World English Bible · 20 verses

¹ By Solomon. God, give the king your justice; your righteousness to the royal son.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
² He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
³ The mountains shall bring prosperity to the people. The hills bring the fruit of righteousness.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁴ He will judge the poor of the people. He will save the children of the needy, and will break the oppressor in pieces.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁵ They shall fear you while the sun endures; and as long as the moon, throughout all generations.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁶ He will come down like rain on the mown grass, as showers that water the earth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁷ In his days, the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁸ He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
⁹ Those who dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him. His enemies shall lick the dust.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁰ The kings of Tarshish and of the islands will bring tribute. The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹¹ Yes, all kings shall fall down before him. All nations shall serve him.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹² For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹³ He will have pity on the poor and needy. He will save the souls of the needy.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁴ He will redeem their soul from oppression and violence. Their blood will be precious in his sight.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁵ He will live; and Sheba’s gold will be given to him. Men will pray for him continually. They will bless him all day long.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁶ Abundance of grain shall be throughout the land. Its fruit sways like Lebanon. Let it flourish, thriving like the grass of the field.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁷ His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁸ Praise be to Yahweh God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
¹⁹ Blessed be his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.
²⁰ This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.This verse is not in this translation's source text (many modern translations omit it). See your Bible's footnote.

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org

Worksheets

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Open Preschool on its own page

Psalms 72 · Preschool

A Kind King

Name Date

Color the crown and the rain. A good king helps people who are poor.

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“For he will deliver the needy when he cries; the poor, who has no helper.”

Psalms 72:12 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A good king helps people who need help. We can help others too. Let's think of one person we can help!

Open Grade 4 on its own page

Psalms 72 · Grade 4

The Ideal King

Name Date

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.

kingpoorjusticerain

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?

Open Grade 5 on its own page

Psalms 72 · Grade 5

Endless Reign, Endless Mercy

Name Date

Read and Think

The title of Psalm 72 says it is by Solomon. It prays for the king and the royal son, asking God to give him justice and righteousness. The king's first task is not conquest but care: He will judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice. He will save the children of the needy and break the oppressor in pieces.

The psalm's hopes grow larger than any ordinary king. His dominion reaches from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth. All nations shall serve him. His name endures forever, as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him; all nations will call him blessed. These words echo God's promise to Abraham that all nations would be blessed.

Yet the king's glory is measured by compassion. He will have pity on the poor and needy, and their blood will be precious in his sight. Christians have long read this psalm as pointing beyond Solomon to the Messiah, whose rule fulfills these hopes. The doxology closes Book II: Let the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and amen. Verse 20 adds, This ends the prayers by David, the son of Jesse.

Show What You Know

What is the king's first task?
Which promise to Abraham does verse 17 echo?
What measures the king's glory?
Why have Christians read this psalm as pointing beyond Solomon?

Crossword

Across

He will judge the ____ of the people.
Give the king your ____.

Down

He will come down like ____ on the mown grass.
He will save the children of the ____.

Think About It

What would a leader look like who truly protected the poor and needy?
How does this psalm help you pray for leaders today?

Memory Verse

“His name endures forever. His name continues as long as the sun. Men shall be blessed by him. All nations will call him blessed.”

Psalms 72:17 (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.

The king's rule would last as long as the sun. How does a forever King shape your hope?
What would you ask God to do for your country's leaders?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

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‹ All Psalms chapters · All books

Psalms 72: A King Who Helps the Poor

Read Psalms 72

Worksheets

A Kind King

Prayer

Take It Home

A Good King

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

Mini Maze

Draw It

Prayer

Take It Home

The King Helps

Trace the Words

Match the Pictures

A Righteous King

Prayer

Take It Home

A King Who Helps

Read the Story

Show What You Know

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

Like Rain on the Grass

Read the Story

Answer the Questions

A Righteous King

Word Search

Prayer

Take It Home

The Ideal King

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Word Bank Fill-In

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

Endless Reign, Endless Mercy

Read and Think

Show What You Know

Crossword

Think About It

Copy It

Prayer

Take It Home

More print options