Psalms 72:2

2 so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.

Psalms 72:2 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 72:2

He shall judge thy people with righteousness
Or, "so shall he judge"; or, "that he may judge" F14, as the Syriac and Arabic versions; having the judgments and righteousness of God given him, he will be thereby qualified to judge the people of God; such as are so, not by creation, but by special grace; his chosen and covenant people, the redeemed and purchased people of God, and who in the effectual calling appear to be so, and are made his willing people. These Christ judges, rules, and governs, protects and defends, in a righteous manner; pleads their cause, vindicates their right, and avenges them on their enemies, as well as justifies them with his own righteousness;

and thy poor with judgment;
justice and equity. Such who are literally poor, and are the Lord's poor, whom he has chosen, and makes rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom; and with whom Christ, when here on earth, was chiefly concerned, and now is; and not with the great men and rulers of the earth: or such who are poor in spirit, sensible of their spiritual poverty; that find themselves hungry and thirsty, and destitute of righteousness, and without money, or anything to procure either. Or, "thine afflicted ones" F15; such as are distressed in body or mind, with respect to things temporal or spiritual; oppressed by sin, Satan, and the world, These Christ regards, and administers justice to in his own time and way; see ( Isaiah 11:4 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F14 (Nydy) "ut jus dicat", Tigurine version; so Ainsworth.
F15 (Kyne) "afflictos tuos", Montanus, Vatablus, Musculus, Piscator, Gejerus, Michaelis, Tiguriue version.

Psalms 72:2 In-Context

1 Teach the king to judge with your righteousness, O God; share with him your own justice,
2 so that he will rule over your people with justice and govern the oppressed with righteousness.
3 May the land enjoy prosperity; may it experience righteousness.
4 May the king judge the poor fairly; may he help the needy and defeat their oppressors.
5 May your people worship you as long as the sun shines, as long as the moon gives light, for ages to come.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.