Matthew Poole and continuators on Psalms 72

1 GIve the king thy judgments , O God, and thy righteousness unto the kings son.

Solomon, who was now anointed King, his Father yet Living, 1 Kings 1. [illegible: 1+ letters]9. And this Psalm may seem to be made for that great and solemn Occasion.

(i. e.) Either, 1. Thy Statutes and Precepts, which are oft called God's Iudgments; which as thou hast given already in thy Book, so give them to him a second, and a better way, by writing them upon his Heart, or by giving him a solid knowledge of them, and an hearty Love and Obedience to them. Or rather, 2. Thy manner of Government or Administration, [illegible: 1+ letters]which is oft called Iudgment, as Psal. 94. 15. Isa. 28. 6. &c. that he may follow thy Example in governing thy People, as thou governest them, to wit, in Righteousness, as it follows. He saith Iudgments in the plural Number, because though the Office of judging and ruling was but one, yet there were divers parts and Branches, and Acts of it; as to acquit the Innocent, to Condemn the Guilty, &c. in all which he begs that Solomon may be directed to do as God doth, or would have him to do in such Cases.

That Grace of Righteousness, which is a part of thine Image, and is absolutely necessary for good Government.

2 He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment.

To wit, if thou givest him what I have desired. And by this prediction he doth [illegible: 1+ letters]acitly admonish him of, and oblige him to the performance of his Duty herein. Or, Let him Iudge▪ the Future being put for the Imperative, as hath been oft observed. So it is a Prayer.

For they are thine more than his; and therefore he must not govern them according to his own Will and Pleasure, but according to the Rules of thy Word▪ and for thy Service and Glory.

Or, thy aflicted, or oppressed ones; for such are thine in a special manner, thou art their Judge and Patron, Psal. 68. 5. and hast Commanded all thy People, and especially Kings and Magistrates, to take a singular Care of them, because they have few or no Friends.

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

He mentioneth the Mountains and Hills, as bringing forth this blessed Fruit: Either, because such places are usually Barren, and therefore this was an Evidence of extraordinary Fruitfulness, and a special blessing of God: Or, because they are dangerous to Passengers, in Regard of the Robbers and Wild beasts, which commonly abide there. Whereby it is implyed, that other places should do so to, and that it should be common and universal.

All manner of Prosperity and Felicity, which the Hebrews frequently express by that word.

Marginal references: See ver. 16. Jer. 3. 23.

4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy and shall break in pieces the oppressour.

(i. e.) Vindicate them from their Potent oppressours, as judging is used, Psal. 43. 1. and oft elsewhere.

Whom the Rich peradventure did seize upon for Bond-men, upon some Pretence or other.

5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

Or Reverence, or Worship, as this Word is used, Isa. 29. 13. Compared with Mat. 15. 9. and elsewere.

Either, 1. Thee, O King, to whom he suddenly turneth his Speech. And so this is Hyperbolically true of Solomon▪ but truly and litterally of Christ. Or rather, 2. Thee, O God, of whom he had spoken before, and that in the second Person, v. 1, 2. as it is here; whereas he never speaks of the King in the whole Psalm, in the second Person, but constantly in the third. And [illegible: 1+ letters]o the Sence is, This shall be another blessed Fruit of this righteous Government, that together with Peace true Religion shall be established, and that throughout all Generations, as it here follows. Which was begun in Solomon's days and continued, though not without Interruption, in the time of his Successors, the Kings of Iudah, and afterwards until Christ, in and by whom this Prediction and Promise was most fully accomplished. Heb. With the Sun and before the Moon, (i. e.) Whilst they continue in the Heavens. Others expound it thus, both Day and Night▪ as the twelve Tribes are said to serve God, Act. 26. 7. But the former Interpretation seems more probable, by Comparing this Verse with v. 17.

Marginal references: Psal. 89. 36, 37.

6 He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass : as showers that water the earth.

To wit, by the influences of his Government upon his People under him. But this Phrase doth much better agree to Christ, who was yet to come, and who did come down from Heaven, and brought or sent down from Heaven his Doctrine. which is oft Compared to Rain, and the sweet and powerful influences of his Spirit.

Which it both refresheth and improveth, or causeth to grow and flourish, and therefore was very acceptable, especially in Canaan, where Rain was more scarce, and more necessary than in many other places, because of the scorching Heat, and the natural dryness of the Soyl, and the want of Rivers to overflow, or water the Land.

Marginal references: Hos. 6. 3.

7 In his days shall the righteous flourish , and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth .

As the wicked shall be discountenanced and punished, so good men shall be encouraged and advanced, and multiplyed.

(i. e.) As long as time and the World shall last. Which neither was nor could be true of Solomon, who lived not long, and the Peace of whose Kingdom was sadly disturbed, and in a manner wholly lost presently after his Death, but was undoubtedly and Eminently accomplished in Christ, who brought Peace upon Earth, Luk. 2. 14. and left it as his Legacy to his Disciples, Ioh. 14. 27.

Marginal references: Heb. till there be no Moon.

8 He shall have dominion also from sea to sea , and from the river unto the ends of the earth .

Either, 1. From the Dead Sea, or the Lake of Sodom, or from the Red Sea, to the Midland Sea. For so far did Solomon's Dominion extend: but so did David's also; and therefore in that Respect Solomon hath not that Pre-eminence, which this Promise plainly seems to give him above his Predecessours. Or, 2. More generally from one Sea to another, or in all the parts of the habitable World. So it was truly and fully accomplished in Christ, and in him onely.

To wit, Enphrates: which was the Eastern border of the Kingdom of Canaan allotted by God, Exod. 23. 31. Numb. [illegible: 1+ letters]4. 3. but enjoyed onely by David and Solomon, and afterwards by Christ. Of whose Kingdom this may be here mentioned, as one of the Borders; Partly, because the Kingdom of Christ is here described under the Type, and shadow of Solomon's Kingdom, whose bound this was: and Partly, because though Christ's Kingdom did for a time extend it self beyond Euphrates, yet the chief part, and almost the whole Body of it, both did and doth lye on this side of it: and things do generally receive their Denomination from the greatest part.

Either, 1. Of the Land of Canaan. Or, 2. Of the World.

9 They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before him: and his enemies shall lick the dust .

In solitary places: Even rude and barbarous People, who lived without Order and Government among themselves: Of which sort great numbers submitted to Christ, and received the Gospel.

(i. e.) Shall prostrate themselves to the ground, in token of Reverence and Subjection, as the Custome of the Eastern People was. See Isa. 49. 23. Mich. 7. 17.

10 The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.

Or, of the Sea (as Tarshish is understood, 1 Kings 22. 48. Psal. 48. 7.) and, (Or, that is: for that Conjunction is oft used Exegetically) of the Isles. (i. e.) Of remote Countries, to which they used to go from Canaan by Sea; all which are frequently called Isles in Scripture, as hath been noted before. The Kings that Rule by Sea (where Solomon had no great Power) or by Land.

Two Arabia[illegible: 1+ letters] Countries: unless the one be Arabia, and the other Ethiopia beyond Egypt.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word]. 45. 12. [illegible: 1 word]. 29.

11 Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him .

Which cannot be said of Solomon with any Truth or Colour, but was unquestionably verified in Christ; of whom therefore this must be understood. For what is said, 1 Kings 4. 21. that Solomon Reigned over all Kingdoms, is there limit [illegible: 1+ letters]ed to them that Reigned from the River unto—Egypt: Whereas the Expressions here are unlimitted and universal.

12 For he shall deliver the needy when he cryeth: the poor also, and him that hath no helper .

The Fame of his just and merciful Government shall induce multitudes; Either, to put themselves under him, or to shew great Respect and Reverence to him.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1+ letters]9. 12.

13 He shall spare the poor and needy, and shall save the souls of the needy.

Properly so called; this being Christ's proper Work to save Souls: Or, the Lives, which Oppressours shall indeavour to take away.

14 He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence : and precious shall their blood be in his sight .

The two ways whereby the Souls or Lives of Men are usually destroyed.

He will not be Prodigal of the Lives of his Subjects, casting them away meerly to gratifie his own Revenge, or Covetousness, or in[illegible: 1+ letters]atiable Desire, of enlarging his Empire, as earthly Kings commonly do, but like a true Father of his People, will tenderly preserve them, and severely avenge their Blood upon those who shall shed it.

Marginal references: Psal. 116. 15.

15 And he shall live , and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba , prayer also shall be made for him continually, and daily shall he be praised.

To wit, long and Prosperously, as Solomon did; yea Eternally, as Christ did. Other Kings must lose both their Lives and Kingdoms: but this King, whom Solomon typified, shall Live for ever, and his Kingdom shall have no end.

As a Present, or Tribute. This was done to Solomon, 1 Kings 10. 15. and to Christ, Mat. 2. 11. and afterwards as need required. Although such Expressions as these being used of Christ and his Kingdom, are commonly understood in a spiritual Sence.

h His Subjects shall be obliged and excited by his righteous and happy Government, to pray heartily and frequently for him; Either, 1. For Solomon. Or, 2. For Christ, not so much for his Person, which needed not their Prayers, as for the Protection and Propagation of his Kingdom and Gospel, and Interest in the World.

Marginal references: Heb. one shall [illegible: 1 word] ▪ [illegible: 1+ letters].

16 There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains , the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon , and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth ▪

Which intimates the small beginnings of this Kingdom[illegible: 1+ letters] and therefore doth not agree to S[illegible: 1+ letters], whose Kingdom was in a manner as large at the beginning of his Reign, as at the End; but it exactly agrees to Christ and hi[illegible: 1+ letters] Kingdom, [illegible: 1 word]. 13. 31, 32.

Sown in the Earth.

In the most Barr[illegible: 1+ letters]n grounds; and therefore this was an Evidence of extraordinary and prodigious Fertility.

It shall [illegible: 1+ letters]ield such abundance of Corn, that the Ears being thick and high and full of Corn, shall, when they are shaken with the Wind, make a noise not unlike that which the tops of the Trees of [illegible: 1 word] sometimes make upon the like occasion. Which Expressions, as well as many others of the like Nature in the Prophets, being applied to Christ, are to be understood in a spiritual Sence, of the great and happy Success of the Preaching of the Gospel.

The Citizens of Ierusalem, which are here Synedochically put for the Subjects of this Kingdom.

Shall both encrease in number, that there may be mouths to receive the Meat provided, and enjoy great Prosperity and Happiness.

17 His Name shall endure for ever: his Name shall be continued , as long as the Sun , and men shall be blessed in him , all nations shall call him blessed.

The Honour and Renown of his eminent Wisdom, and Justice, and Goodness. Which agrees but very obscurely, and imperfectly to Solomon, who s[illegible: 1+ letters]ained the Glory of his Reign, by his prodigious Luxury and Oppression, and Apostacy from God, into which he [illegible: 1+ letters]ell in the latter part of his days.

Or, shall be Propagated, or Transmitted to his Chil[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪ Which suits much better to Christ, from whom we are called Christians than to Solomon.

Heb. [illegible: 1 word] the S[illegible: 1+ letters]; Either, 1. Publickly, and in the Face of the Sun. Or. 2. Perpetually; as a constant and inseparable Companion of the Sun, as long as the Sun it self shall continue. See before on v. 5.

Either, 1. As a Pattern of Blessedness. When any man shall with well to a King, he shall say: The Lord make thee like Solomon. See on Gen. 22. 18. Or rather, 2. As the Cause of it, by and through his Merits and Mediation.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word].; [illegible: 1 span].; Gen. 12 3. & 22. 1[illegible: 1+ letters].

18 Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who onely doth wondrous things .

Who hath given to his People such a Glorious and excellent King and Governour, and such wonderful Blessings as they do, and shall enjoy under his Government.

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

Heb. The whole Earth shall be filled with his Glory. For this may be either a Prayer for, or a Prophecy of the spreading of the true Religion, in the Gentile-World. Which evidently relates to Christ and his Kingdom.

20 The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended .

This Psalm is called the last of David's Psalms (which are called Prayers, because they consist very much of Prayers) Either, 1. The last of that part, or Book of the Psalms, which reacheth from the beginning of the Psalms hitherto, whereof the far greatest number were Composed by David, and all of them digested into this Order; the rest of which follow, being Collected by some other holy Man, or Men of God after David's Death, and Composed part by David, and part by other Prophets. Or rather, 2. The last Psalm which David Composed: For this was done but a little before his Death, of which see the first Note on this Psalm.