Psalms 72:2

2 so that he may judge your people with righteousness and your oppressed [people] with justice.

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 O God, give the king your justice and the king's son your righteousness
2 so that he may judge your people with righteousness and your oppressed [people] with justice.
3 May the mountains bring peace to the people and the hills bring righteousness.
4 May he grant justice to the people who are oppressed. May he save the children of needy people and crush their oppressor.
5 May they fear you as long as the sun and moon [shine]-- throughout every generation.
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